Environmentally preferred antimicrobial compositions

ABSTRACT

Provided are antimicrobial compositions that include peracid compositions. The peracid compositions have increased shelf life and storage stability. The antimicrobial compositions can be formulated into a hard surface disinfectant composition that includes a hydrogen peroxide generator, a peracetic acid catalyst, a slow hydrolyzing acid and optionally a carboxylic acid, where the ratio between the hydrogen peroxide generator and the peracetic acid catalyst is from about 1.5:1 to about 3:1 respectively.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Benefit of priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/884,226 to Ryan Giffin Moore, titled “ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERREDANTIMICROBIAL COMPOSITION,” filed Sep. 30, 2013, and to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/885,211 to Ryan Giffin Moore, titled “STABILTZINGPERACID COMPOSITIONS,” filed Oct. 1, 2013, the subject matter of each ofwhich is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to antimicrobial compositionscontaining a peracid, and methods for disinfecting or sterilizing a hardsurface by application of one of the antimicrobial compositions providedherein containing a peracid. In particular, the antimicrobialcompositions provided herein are environmentally friendly compositionsthat can include a stable solution containing a peracid, such asperacetic acid (PAAH).

BACKGROUND

Disinfecting or sanitizing of hard surfaces, in the home, commercial andindustrial settings, are necessary practices in order to promote andmaintain good health. This is particularly true for the beverage, dairy,and food industries, in food packaging and preparation environments, andin service businesses. Failure to disinfect or sanitize equipment andother surfaces of contaminants can result in the growth of pathogenicmicroorganisms. Routine disinfection or sanitation is necessary toreduce microbial populations in order to protect consumers frompotential health hazards associated with pathogenic microorganisms ortoxins produced by such microorganisms.

Many existing antimicrobial compositions have drawbacks or undesirableproperties that limit the ease of manufacture and/or use of thecompositions. These include issues with availability and toxicity ofingredients, ease of use, efficacy, or having negative impacts on theitems being treated, the individuals using the compositions, or on theenvironment. Examples of purported negative attributes or disadvantagesof commonly used antimicrobial compositions are described in U.S. Pat.Appl. Publ. No. US20090074881 (2009). New antimicrobial compositionsshould comply with the increasing demand for safer, more environmentallyfriendly compositions.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for antimicrobial compositionsthat exhibit improved stability, effective antimicrobial activity, andthat also are eco-friendly or “green.” The specific requirements forsuch compositions vary according to the intended application (e.g.,disinfecting, sanitizing, sterilizing, etc.) and the governmental publichealth requirements associated with the intended application.Compositions having greater stability and antimicrobial activity whilebeing environmentally friendly could help meet a substantial publichealth need, and one that is not adequately addressed by currentcommonly-used antimicrobial compositions.

SUMMARY

Provided are antimicrobial compositions that exhibit improved stability,enhanced antimicrobial efficacy, and that also are eco-friendly.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein automatically adjust thepH of the solvent in which they are dissolved so that it first isalkaline, promoting the formation of a peracid, followed by a reductionof the pH to an acidic pH, stabilizing the in situ formed peracid.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein include a hydrogenperoxide generator, a peracid catalyst, and a slow hydrolyzing acid,where the composition is a dry form, the ratio of the hydrogen peroxidegenerator to the peracetic acid catalyst is between 1.5:1 and 3:1respectively, the slow hydrolyzing acid is present in an amount of atleast about 10 wt %, and when 10 grams of the composition is dissolvedin 90 grams of water to form a solution, the initial pH of the solutionis about 8 or greater, and after 24 hours at room temperature the pH ofthe solution is about 7 or less. In some embodiments, the antimicrobialcomposition further includes a carboxylic acid. The antimicrobialcompositions provided herein when dissolved in a solvent can produce asolution having an initial pH about 8 or greater, and after 24 hours atroom temperature the pH of the solution is about 6.5 or less. The dryform can be a powder, flake, agglomerate, granule, tablet, capsule,pellet, puck, brick, briquette, block, unit dosage or composite.

The antimicrobial compositions can include a hydrogen peroxide generatorthat includes an alkali metal perborate, an alkali metal percarbonate,an alkali metal perphosphate, an alkali metal persilicate or an alkalimetal persulfate or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, thehydrogen peroxide generator is sodium percarbonate, calcium peroxide,urea peroxide, sodium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate (Oxone®,DuPont™, Wilmington, Del.) or a combination thereof.

The antimicrobial compositions can include a peracid catalyst, which isan agent that contains an acetyl donor group or an acyl donor group or acombination thereof. The agent can contain an —O—C(O)CH₃ donor group, an—N—C(O)CH₃ donor group, an —O—C(O)R¹) donor group or an —N—C(O)R² donorgroup, wherein R¹ and R² each individually is C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl. Theantimicrobial compositions can include a peracid catalyst selected fromamong monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin, glucose pentaacetate, lactoseoctaacetate, mannitol hexaacetate, sucrose octaacetate,N,N,N′N′-tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED),N,N,N′N′-tetraacetylmethylene-diamine (TAMD), N-acetyl glycine,N-acetyl-methionine, 6-acetamidohexanoic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine,4-acetamidophenol, N-acetyl-L-glutamine, and N,N′,N″,N′″-tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU). The antimicrobial compositions can include a peracidcatalyst that is a peracetic acid catalyst. The peracetic acid catalystcan be TAED or TAMD.

The antimicrobial compositions can include a sugar acid lactone as aslow hydrolyzing acid. The antimicrobial compositions can include asugar acid lactone selected from the group consisting ofallohepturonolactone, allonolactone, alluronolactone,altrohepturonolactone, altronolactone, altruronolactone, arabinolactone,arabinuronolactone, galactohepturonolactone, galactonolactone,galacturonolactone, glucohepturonolactone, gluconolactone,glucuronolactone, gulohepturonolactone, gulonolactone, guluronolactone,idohepturonolactone, idonolactone, iduronolactone, lyxuronolactone,mannohepturonolactone, mannonolactone, mannuronolactone, ribonolactone,riburonolactone, talohepturonolactone, talonolactone, taluronolactone,xylonolactone and xyluronolactone and a combination thereof. Theantimicrobial compositions can include a sugar acid lactone selectedfrom the group consisting of a gluconolactone, a galactonolactone, amannonolactone, a gulonolactone and a heptagluconolactone. Theantimicrobial compositions can include a glucono-delta-lactone as asugar acid lactone.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can include a hydrogenperoxide generator present in an amount of from about 10 wt % to about60 wt %; a peracid acid catalyst present in an amount of from about 10wt % to about 30 wt %; a slow hydrolyzing acid present in an amount offrom about 5 wt % to about 60 wt %; and optionally a carboxylic acidpresent in an amount of from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can be in the form of atablet, or a capsule, or a powder or an agglomerate. The antimicrobialcompositions provided herein can be contained in a water soluble pouch.The water soluble pouch can include a water soluble polyvinyl alcohol.The pouch can include a plurality of compartments.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can include a protectivelayer. The protective polymer can include an acrylic, a sugar, a starch,a maltodextrin, a polyethylene glycol, or a film forming water solublepolymer or a combination thereof. When present, the film forming watersoluble polymer can include a water soluble polyvinyl alcohol,polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan gum,alginate, gellan gum, gelatin, or a modified starch or a combination ofany of these.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can include a carboxylicacid. The carboxylic acid can be a straight chain aliphatic carboxylicacid or a branched chain aliphatic carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acidcan be selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid,formic acid, gluconic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid,malic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid and tartaric acid.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can include aneffervescent generator. The effervescent generator can include an alkalimetal carbonate and an acid. The alkali metal carbonate can include ananhydrous potassium carbonate, a hydrated potassium carbonate, ananhydrous sodium carbonate, or a hydrated sodium carbonate or acombination thereof. The acid of the effervescent generator can becitric acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, malic acid, adipic acid,tartaric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate,or lactic acid, or a combination thereof.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can include a colorindicator. The color indicator changes color when the pH of the solutionprepared by dissolving the antimicrobial composition in a solventchanges from alkaline to acidic. The color indicator can be present inan amount from at or about 0.005 wt % to about 1.0 wt % based on theweight of the composition. In some embodiments, antimicrobialcompositions provided herein include sodium percarbonate as the hydrogenperoxide generator, TAED as the peracid catalyst, glucono-delta-lactoneas the slow hydrolyzing acid, and citric acid as the carboxylic acid,when present.

Also provided are solutions that include from about 50 wt % to about99.95 wt % of a solvent and from about 0.05 wt % to about 50 wt % of anantimicrobial composition provided herein. The solutions can be used ashard surface cleaners, hard surface disinfectants, hard surfacesanitizer sprays, dishwasher sanitizers, laundry machine sanitizers,closed system sanitizers, and as dental, medical or surgical instrumentsoaking solutions for sanitizing or disinfecting the instruments. Thesolutions provided herein can include one or more additional components.The additional components can be selected from among an organic solvent,a surfactant, a buffering salt, a tablet lubricant, a fragrance, acolorant, a chelating agent, an enzyme, an acid, a carbonate, abicarbonate, a phosphate, a wetting agent, a dispersing agent, ahydrotrope, a rheology control agent, a foam suppressant, a metalprotectant, a corrosion inhibitor, an expanded percarbonate, apolyglycol, a polyalkylene glycol, a methoxypolyalkylene glycol, apolyglycol copolymer, a hexitol, a siloxane, a polysilane, apolysiloxane, a silicone detergent, sodium bisulfate and sulfamic acidand combinations thereof.

Preferred chelating agents include iminodisuccinic acid salts andmethylglycinediacetic acid and combinations thereof. The surfactant canbe a cationic, anionic, nonionic or amphoteric surfactant or acombination thereof. The enzyme can be selected from among a lipase, aprotease, a peroxidase, an oxidase, an amylolytic enzyme, a cellulase, apolyesterase, a glucanase, an amylase, a glucoamylase, a glycosidase, ahemicellulase, a mannanase, a xylanase, a xyloglucanase, a pectinase, aβ-glucosidase, or any combination thereof. The acid can be citric acid,ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, malic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid,fumaric acid, succinic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate, or lactic acid,or a combination thereof.

When present, the corrosion inhibitor can be a C₄-C₁₆ alkyl pyrrolidone,a C₁-C₁₈ alkylamine, a benzoate, an azole, an imidazole, a diazole, atriazole, an aromatic triazole, monosodium or monopotassium phosphate,disodium or dipotassium phosphate, sodium or potassiumhexametaphosphate, hydroxyethylidine di-phosphonic acid,8-hydroxy-quinoline, orthophenylphenol, sarcosine or a sarcosinate or acombination thereof.

Also provided are hard surface sanitizer compositions, which include anantimicrobial composition provided herein, a carbonate or a bicarbonateor a combination thereof, and a solvent. Also provided are automaticdishwasher sanitizer compositions, which include an antimicrobialcomposition provided herein, and a carbonate or a bicarbonate or acombination thereof. The dishwasher sanitizer can further include asurfactant. The surfactant can be a cationic, anionic, nonionic oramphoteric surfactant or a combination thereof. The dishwasher sanitizercompositions can include an antimicrobial composition provided hereinand a chelating agent. The chelating agent can be selected from among aiminodisuccinic acid salt, methylglycine diacetic acid trisodium salt,citric acid, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid, ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid, glutamic aciddiacetic acid, glutamic acid, and a combination thereof. Preferredchelating agents include an iminodisuccinic acid salt andmethylglycinediacetic acid and a combination thereof.

Also provided are sanitizer spray compositions that include anantimicrobial composition provided herein, a solvent, and a bleachactivator. The bleach activator can include an acylated alkylenediamine, benzoyl peroxide, benzoyl caprolactam, tetraacetyl glycouril,N-acylated hydantoine, hydrazine, triazole, hydratriazine, urazole,di-ketopiperazine, sulfurylamide, 6-nonyl-amino-6-oxoperoxy-caproicacid, cyanurate, a carboxylic acid anhydride,decanoyl-oxybenzenesulphonate sodium-acetoxy-benzene sulfonate,sodium-benzoyloxy benzene sulfonate, sodium-lauroyloxy-benzenesulfonate, sodium-isononanoyloxy benzene sulfonate, acylated sugarderivatives, pentaglucose, or nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, or acombination thereof.

Also provided are general purpose hard surface spray compositions thatinclude an antimicrobial composition provided herein, a surfactant, asolvent, and a bleach activator. Also provided are clothing detergentcompositions that include an antimicrobial composition provided hereinand a surfactant. The clothing detergent compositions can include acarbonate or bicarbonate or a combination thereof. The clothingdetergent compositions can include a bleaching agent, a bleachactivator, an optical brightener, an anti-redeposition agent, a color,or a fragrance or any combination thereof. Also provided are garbagedisposal cleaner compositions that include an antimicrobial compositionprovided herein, a carbonate or bicarbonate or a combination thereof,and a fragrance. Also provided are laundry machine sanitizercompositions that include an antimicrobial composition provided herein,a polyglycol, and a surfactant or a siloxane or a combination thereof.

Also provided are dental, medical or surgical instrument soakingsolution compositions that include an antimicrobial composition providedherein and a corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor can beselected from among a C₄-C₁₆ alkyl pyrrolidone, a C₁-C₁₈ alkylamine, abenzoate, an azole, an imidazole, a diazole, a triazole, an aromatictriazole, monosodium or monopotassium phosphate, disodium or dipotassiumphosphate, sodium or potassium hexametaphosphate, hydroxyethylidinedi-phosphonic acid, 8-hydroxyquinoline, orthophenylphenol, sarcosine, asarcosinate and combinations thereof. The dental, medical or surgicalinstrument soaking solution compositions can include a chelating agent,a surfactant or an enzyme or a combination thereof.

Also provided are packaged systems that include an antimicrobialcomposition provided herein and a packaging material. The packagingmaterial can be selected from the group consisting of glass, metal foil,treated metal foil, a metal foil pouch, plastic, plastic film, a plasticsheet, a blister pack, cardboard, a cardboard composite, paper andtreated paper, and any combination thereof. The packaged system caninclude a container for dissolving the composition in a solvent or areceptacle for containing or dispensing the dissolved composition orboth. The receptacle can be selected from the group consisting of aspray bottle, a sponge, a conventional hand sprayer container, anelectric spray dispenser container, a bucket, a can, a drum, atowelette, a wipe, and a pad and any combination thereof.

Also provided are methods of disinfecting a surface. The methods includedissolving an antimicrobial composition provided herein in a solvent toform a disinfecting solution, and applying the disinfecting solution tothe surface, resulting in the destruction of, or prevention of thegrowth of, a microbe on the surface. The solvent used to dissolve theantimicrobial composition can include water, an alcohol, an aldehyde, ora ketone or a combination thereof. The solvent can be the water in alaundry washing process or a dishwashing process. The disinfectingsolution further can include a chelating agent, sodium bisulfate, apolyglycol, a hexitol, a siloxane, a polysilane, a polysiloxane, asilicone detergent, sodium carbonate, sodium gluconate, polyethyleneglycol, an acrylic acid homopolymer, a surfactant, a bleaching agent, ableach activator, an optical brightener, an anti-redeposition agent, acolor, or a fragrance or any combination thereof. The disinfectingsolution can be applied to the surface by spraying, wiping, immersion ordirect application or any combination thereof. The disinfecting solutioncan be applied directly to a surface as a spray or fine mist. Thedisinfecting solution can applied via a woven or nonwoven substrate, abrush, a sponge, a wipe or a cleaning pad, or any combination thereof.

Also provided are articles of manufacture. The articles of manufactureinclude an antimicrobial composition provided herein and (a) a containersuitable for containing the antimicrobial composition; or (b) a set ofinstructions for preparing a cleaning solution or disinfectant solutionby dissolving the antimicrobial composition in a solvent; or (c) a setof instructions for storing the antimicrobial composition; or (d) amaterial safety data sheet; or (e) a dispenser or applicator for asolution prepared by dissolution of the antimicrobial composition; or(f) any combination of two or more of (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e). Thecontainer can be made of or contain glass, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), high impact polystyrene, polycarbonate, high densitypolyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, lowdensity polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethyleneterephthalate glycol and polyvinylchloride and combinations thereof. Thecontainers can include a barrier film to increase storage stability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Outline

-   -   A. Definitions    -   B. Antimicrobial Compositions    -   C. Components of Eco-Friendly Antimicrobial Compositions        -   1. Hydrogen Peroxide Generator        -   2. Peracid Catalyst        -   3. Slow Hydrolyzing Acid        -   4. Carboxylic acid        -   5. Forms        -   6. Effervescent Formulations        -   7. Protective Layer    -   D. Methods of Preparation        -   1. Composition Preparation        -   2. Agglomerate Preparation        -   3. Tablet Preparation    -   E. Packaged Systems    -   F. Articles of manufacture    -   G. Applications    -   H. Examples

A. DEFINITIONS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in theart to which the inventions belong. All patents, patent applications,published applications and publications, websites and other publishedmaterials referred to throughout the entire disclosure herein, unlessnoted otherwise, are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In theevent that there are a plurality of definitions for terms herein, thosein this section prevail. Where reference is made to a URL or other suchidentifier or address, it is understood that such identifiers can changeand particular information on the internet can come and go, butequivalent information can be found by searching the internet. Referencethereto evidences the availability and public dissemination of suchinformation.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, ranges and amounts can be expressed as “about” aparticular value or range. “About” also includes the exact amount. Hence“about 5 percent” means “about 5 percent” and also “5 percent.” “About”means within typical experimental error for the application or purposeintended.

As used herein, “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequentlydescribed event or circumstance does or does not occur, and that thedescription includes instances where the event or circumstance occursand instances where it does not. For example, an optional component in asystem means that the component may be present or may not be present inthe system.

As used herein, “weight percent” or “wt %” refers to the concentrationof a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the totalweight of the composition and multiplied by 100.

As used herein, a “hydrogen peroxide generator” refers to a chemicalcompound that produces hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radical whendissolved in a solvent containing water.

As used herein, “peracid” refers to a peroxyacid (or percarboxylic acidor peroxycarboxylic acid) having the general formula R³(CO₃H)_(n), whereR³ can be saturated or unsaturated as well as substituted orunsubstituted and selected from among alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl,aromatic, heterocyclic, ester and alkyl ester groups; and n is one, two,or three. Exemplary peracids include peracetic acid (PAAH, peroxyaceticacid), perbenzoic acid (peroxybenzoic acid) and substituted forms ofperbenzoic acid; di-peroxymalonic acid, di-peroxysuccinic acid,di-peroxyglutaric acid, di-peroxyadipic acid; all isomeric forms of eachof peroxypropionic acid, peroxybutanoic acid, peroxyhexanoic acid,peroxydodecanoic acid, and peroxylactic acid. PAAH is a representativeperacid, and compositions and methods provided herein that areexemplified with PAAH can be practiced in general with any one orcombination of peracids.

As used herein a “peracid catalyst” refers to a compound that reactswith hydrogen peroxide or peroxide ions to form a peracid. The peracidcatalyst can include any compound that contains an acetyl or acyl donorgroup for reacting with hydrogen peroxide or peroxide ions to form aperacid.

As used herein, “peracetic acid” refers to peroxyacetic acid, which is aperoxycarboxylic acid having the formula CH₃COOOH.

As used herein, a “peracetic acid catalyst” refers to a compound thatreacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracetic acid.

As used herein, a “slow hydrolyzing acid” refers to an acid that slowlyhydrolyzes with time to provide an additional carboxylic acid moiety,thereby further reducing the pH of a solution in which it is dissolved.Exemplary slow hydrolyzing acids are acids containing a lactone, whichhydrolyzes over time, such as a sugar acid lactone.

As used herein, “surfactant” refers to surface active molecules thatabsorb at the air/water, oil/water and/or oil/water interfaces,substantially reducing their surface energy. The term “detergent” isoften used interchangeably with the term “surfactant.” Surfactantsgenerally are classified depending on the charge of the surface activemoiety, and can be categorized as cationic, anionic, nonionic andamphoteric surfactants.

As used herein, “effervescent generator” refers to a composition thatgives off gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) bubbles when placed in an aqueousliquid.

As used herein, a “protective layer” refers to a layer that coats asurface in order to protect the surface from an influence of physical orchemical action applied from the surroundings.

As used herein, a “composite” refers to a mixture of two or moredifferent ingredients in which the ingredients do not dissolve or mergecompletely, but which forms a substantially homogeneous material (i.e.,a material without laminate structure or a composition gradient).

As used herein, a “layered compression” refers to composition containingtwo or more different ingredients in which the ingredients have alaminate structure or a composition gradient or both. The composition isformed by compressing the ingredients into a dry form, and can includemultiple layers.

As used herein, an “agglomerate” refers to a material obtained by mixingtwo or more materials and agglomerating the resulting mixture. Suchagglomeration is carried out using any of various known devices,examples of which include presses such as briquetting presses (e.g.,cylinder briquette press, roller briquette press, ring roller briquettepress), and also extruders and tumbling granulators (e.g., panpelletizer, drum pelletizer). The shape of the agglomerate is notsubject to any particular limitation. Any of various shapes may be used,such as blocky, granular, briquette-like, pellet-like or rodlike.

As used herein, “water soluble” refers to a compound that can bedissolved in water at a concentration of more than 1 wt %.

As used herein, “pouch” refers to a hollow sealable container.

As used herein, “water soluble or water dispersible protective pouch”refers to a pouch that at least partially dissolves in water ordisperses in 1 liter of water at 21° C. within 10 minutes either withagitation or without agitation to allow for egress of the contents ofthe pouch into the surrounding water.

As used herein, a “stabilized peracid composition” has an enhancedstability, e.g., exhibits an increased shelf life or retains a higherlevel of peracid over a given period of time, when compared to a peracidcomposition prepared by standard methods.

As used herein, “stable” refers to the retention of at least 80% of theinitial equilibrium peracid level for at least six months after storageat room temperature.

As used herein, “disinfect” refers to the process of destruction of, orprevention of the growth of, biological contaminants, which can includemicrobes.

As used herein, “disinfectant” refers to an agent that disinfects bydestroying, neutralizing, or inhibiting the growth of biologicalcontaminants, which can include microbes.

As used herein, “sanitary” means of or relating to the restoration orpreservation of health, typically by removing, preventing or controllingan agent that may be injurious to health, such as microbes.

As used herein, “sanitize” means to make sanitary.

As used herein, “sanitizer” refers to an agent that sanitizes.

As used herein, “microbes” refers to any organism that is a member ofthe phylogenetic domains bacteria and archaea, as well as unicellularand filamentous fungi (such as yeasts and molds), unicellular andfilamentous algae, unicellular and multicellular parasites, and viruses.Exemplary microbes include bacteria, e.g., Gram-positive andGram-negative cocci, Gram-positive and Gram-negative straight, curved,helical or vibroid and branched rods, sheathed bacteria,sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, sulfur or sulfate-reducing bacteria;spirochetes; actinomycetes and related genera; myxobacteria;mycoplasmas; rickettsias; chlamydias; cyanobacteria; archea; fungi;parasites; viruses; and algae.

As used herein, “eco-friendly” means not harmful to, or having minimalnegative impact on, the environment.

As used herein, a “solid” refers to a hardened composition that does notflow perceptibly and that substantially retains its shape under moderatestress, pressure or gravity.

As used herein, “antimicrobial activity” refers to partial or completeinhibition of growth of a microbe, or causing lysis of a microbe, orboth. A sanitizer and a disinfectant are exemplary agents that haveantimicrobial activity.

As used herein, “antimicrobial composition” is a composition thatpartially or completely inhibits growth of a microbe, or causes lysis ofa microbe, or both.

As used herein, “acidic range” means a pH less than 7.

As used herein, “metal protector” refers to a material, substance,composition, or compound that protects a metal from its environment.

As used herein, “corrosion inhibitor” refers to a material, substance,composition, or compound that reduces, decreases, diminishes, lowers, orminimizes the corrosion of a metal or metal alloy from the surface of ametal component in the presence of metal corroding agent.

As used herein, “room temperature” means an ambient temperature in therange of from about 20° C. to about 25° C. (generally having an averageof about 21° C.).

B. ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOSITIONS

Many of the antimicrobial compositions in use can have a negative impacton the environment. For example, some halogenated phenolics can presentenvironmental concerns because they are difficult to degrade. Someantimicrobial compounds, such as hypochlorite, can react with manyorganic materials, which can result in the production of carcinogeniccompounds. Some surfactants used as antimicrobials can be toxic toaquatic life. Some antimicrobials in use are not biodegradable and canbe persistent in the environment.

The compositions provided herein have antimicrobial properties and are“green” or eco-friendly. Eco-friendly compositions include thoserecognized to have minimal negative impact on the environment. Forexample, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Design forthe Environment Antimicrobial Pesticide program allows for speciallabeling of compositions that can meet certain requirements. Theseinclude that the product is unlikely to cause developmental, mutagenic,neurotoxic or reproductive harm, does not require the use ofEPA-mandated personal protective equipment, and has no unreasonable orunresolved adverse effects reported. Such products must demonstrateantimicrobial activity on hard, non-porous surfaces.

The compositions and methods provided herein are environmentally safe.The compositions provided herein have superior or equal antimicrobialperformance when compared to other standard antimicrobial agents, withthe added benefits of being particularly “green” or eco-friendlycompositions, and the ability to be formulated as a stable dry powder ortablet that can be reconstituted, which further decreases any negativeenvironmental impact. The composition provided herein, including the drypowder or tablet forms of the compositions and the diluted liquid formsprepared by dissolving the dry powder or tablets forms of thecomposition in a solvent, can be stored, before or after dilution, andmaintain stability for a prolonged period of time, which is anotheradvantageous outcome of the present technology.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein produce a peracid, suchas a peracetic acid (PAAH). The antimicrobial compositions providedherein also can be prepared in combination with other ingredients. Thepresent invention addresses the need for an antimicrobial compositionthat is environmentally safe, stable, and that can be appliedeffectively to hard surfaces. The antimicrobial composition providedherein can be used to decontaminate (e.g., disinfect or sterilize) solidsurfaces contaminated with bacteria, bacterial spores and/or fungi. Thecompositions provided herein containing a peracid provide a stable, costeffective technology that is reliable and easy to use.

PAAH is one of the very few antimicrobial chemistries that is acceptableunder the current US EPA Design for the Environment Antimicrobialprogram for use in closed systems, such as dishwashers and washingmachines. This means that using PAAH as a hard surface sanitizer ordisinfectant can be environmentally preferred over other antimicrobials,such as halogens or cationic detergents. Previously, producing PAAHdissolved in solution would require the resulting solution to be usedimmediately before degradation of the PAAH due to an alkaline pH, or anexcess of reactants to produce enough PAAH to be an effective sanitizeror disinfectant and/or very acidic conditions were required to maintainstable PAAH so that the solution could be used at a later date. Thecompositions and methods provided herein avoid the degradation ofperacid in solution.

The antimicrobial compositions and methods provided herein include aperacid compound as a catalyst. Peracid compounds, particularly PAAH,function very well as antimicrobial compounds, and are used assanitizers, disinfectants, and deodorizers (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No.8,568,861). In fact, several hospital grade disinfectants have beenusing PAAH as a hard surface disinfectant and cold sterilizer for morethan a decade. The industry has several methods to produce functionalPAAH solutions for use in the marketplace. Most of these formulasrequire strong acid environments and stabilizers to keep the PAAHchemistry from degrading.

The antimicrobial compositions and methods provided herein includeperacid compounds but avoid the degradation of peracid in solution. Inone embodiment, the antimicrobial compositions include tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) as a hydrogen peroxide catalyst. TAED is known inthe dry chemical industry to be useful for making powder and compressedtablet compositions because TAED is stable in dry form and compatiblewith the peroxygen chemistries needed to make PAAH in solution. Oneexample of how TAED has been used in the marketplace is the use of TAEDwith sodium perborate, which allows the sodium perborate to release itshydrogen peroxide in cold water applications. Another example is the useof TAED with sodium percarbonate to enhance the hydrogen peroxidechemistry to PAAH which allows for a more enhanced peroxygen chemistryin cold water applications Both of these chemistries are important tothe laundry category as color safe bleach technologies. Color safebleach technologies are ones that do not use chlorine bleachtechnologies.

Conventional peracids have inherent disadvantages, one of which islimited storage stability. The shelf life of peracid products iscommonly defined by the peracid storage stability. A desirable shelflife often requires a 80% or higher retention of the initial equilibriumperacid level in the product for at least 6 months after storage atambient temperature. The industry has several methods to producefunctionally stable PAAH solutions, most of which require a strongacidic pH environment and stabilizers to stabilize the PAAH for longterm shelf storage. Peracid products that have an enhanced storagestability/shelf life would reduce the number of products being discardeddue to peracid degradation, thereby reducing waste.

As described herein, it has been found that one way to avoid thedegradation of peracid in solution is to provide PAAH generationchemistry in a stable dry form that does not release the peracid untilthe dry form is dissolved in a solvent, such as water, resulting in thein situ formation of a peracid solution that can be used as anantimicrobial. For example, a dry hydrogen peroxide source can becombined with TAED and delivered as a powder or tablet. Each componentwill remain shelf stable for long periods of time. The PAAH can beproduced once the powder or tablet is dissolved in a solvent, such aswater.

An inherent pH problem exists with PAAH generation chemistry. TAED has apKa of 8. This means that in order for 50% of the TAED to disassociatein solution to be available as a catalyst to make PAAH, the pH has to beat least 8.0. The pH has to go even higher (become more alkaline) inorder to get more TAED disassociation and thus a higher ppm of PAAH insolution. Therefore, after the TAED disassociates and makes PAAH, thealkaline solution would destabilize and destroy the PAAH.

As explained above, the pH ideally is in the acid range to keep theproduced PAAH stable. Addition of a typical acid, such as an inorganicacid or a carboxylic acid, to the composition results in too rapid of apH drop, interfering with the effective creation of the PAAH (whichrequires alkaline conditions for formation). The art discusses reductionof pH in an aqueous solution by user introduction or injection of anacid agent from an external source (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,740(Kong et al. (1996)). Manual adjustment of the pH by a consumer to anacidic pH is inconvenient, and it would be undesirable to require anend-user to adjust the pH from alkaline to acidic, such as by handlingacidic chemicals, in order to obtain a stable product.

It has been discovered that including a slow hydrolyzing acid in thecomposition results in an automatic reduction in the pH to an acidicrange over time after formation of the PAAH, resulting in a solution(and its PAAH) that is stable. Accordingly, provided herein is acomposition that includes a slow hydrolyzing acid, which provides a timedelayed modulation of the pH of a solution resulting when thecomposition is dissolved in a solvent. The compositions provided hereinmaximize the production of PAAH at an alkaline pH followed by anautomatic reduction in the pH over time to an acidic pH, stabilizing thePAAH in solution. In some applications, the pH is reduced to less than 7within 24 hours at room temperature. In some applications, the pH isabout 6.5 or less after 24 hours. In some applications, the pH isreduced to a pH of about 6 or less within 24 hours at room temperature.

The compositions provided herein address a market need for anenvironmentally preferred antimicrobial that is stable in dry form. Thecompositions provided herein maximize PAAH creation when dissolved in asolvent, e.g. water, producing a pH above 8.0, and then stabilize thePAAH in solution long term by automatically reducing the pH to the acidrange over time.

In particular, provided are compositions in dry form that include a PAAHcatalyst in combination with a hydrogen peroxide generator and a slowhydrolyzing acid. The composition, when dissolved in a solvent, resultsin the formation of a stable solution containing PAAH. In oneembodiment, the composition includes a dry hydrogen peroxide source,such as a percarbonate or peroxide or combinations thereof, with aperacetic acid catalyst, such as TAED and a slow hydrolyzing acid, suchas a sugar acid lactone, and the composition is provided in dry form,such as a powder, flake, agglomerate, granule, tablet, capsule, pellet,puck, brick, briquette, block, unit dosage, layered compression orcomposite. The dry forms of the compositions are shelf stable for longperiods of time, and readily will produce a peracid, such as PAAH, oncedissolved in a solvent, such as water. The compositions provided hereinare environmentally preferred antimicrobial compositions that are stablein dry form, that can maximize peracid (e.g., PAAH) creation wheninitially dissolved in solution, resulting in a solution having aninitial pH of at or about 8.0 or greater, and that automatically overtime reduces the pH of the solution to the acid range (e.g., a pH lessthan 7), stabilizing the peracid (e.g., PAAH) in solution long term.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein produce a peracid insolution in an amount from about 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm. In someembodiments, the antimicrobial compositions provided herein produce PAAHin solution in an amount from about 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm. In someembodiments, the amount of PAAH produced is from about 100 ppm to about500 ppm. In some embodiments, the amount of PAAH produced is at least100 ppm, or at least 150 ppm, or at least 200 ppm, or at least 250 ppm,or at least 300 ppm, or at least 350 ppm, or at least 400 ppm, or atleast 450 ppm, or at least 500 ppm.

Sodium percarbonate is a good example of an alkaline, hydrogen peroxidesource capable of making the solution pH rise to at or about 8.0 orhigher to maximize peracid creation, (e.g., PAAH from TAED). Sugar acidlactones are good examples of a slow hydrolyzing acid. If a typicalorganic acid, such as a carboxylic acid, is used instead of the sugaracid lactone, an immediate drop in pH occurs upon dissolution,interfering with the effective creation of the peracid. Sugar acidlactones have a mild acidic pH when first dissolved, and then reduce thepH of the solution to a more strongly acidic range. Some sugar acidlactones in solution by themselves can result in a final solution pH aslow as a pH of 2.5 when fully hydrolyzed to its acid form. A sugar acidlactone can take hours or days to fully hydrolyze into its more acidicform. This delay in becoming an acid is used in the compositionsprovided herein to stabilize in situ produced peracids. For example,when sodium percarbonate and TAED are mixed with a sugar acid lactone,the composition produces a solution having a pH of at or about 8 orgreater initially and maintains the alkaline pH for some time, e.g., forseveral minutes to several hours, depending on the formulation, givingthe solution enough time to maximize PAAH creation. This results in asolution containing sufficiently high ppm of PAAH to be an effectivesanitizer or disinfectant. As the sugar acid lactone slowly hydrolyzesinto its acid form, it lowers the solution pH to the acid range andtherefore stabilizes the PAAH that was originally created in thesolution under alkaline conditions. The pH modulation using thecompositions provided herein is automatic and does not require any userintervention, such as addition of any chemicals by the user.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can be maintained intheir dry form until ready for use. The dry form, e.g., agglomerate,granule, flake, tablet, capsule, pellet, puck, brick, briquette, block,layered compression or composite, can include a polymer coating as aprotective layer. The polymer coating can be applied to the surface ofthe solid form of the antimicrobial composition. The protective layercan be in the form of a film, packet, pouch, sheath or envelope thatsurrounds, partially or completely, the solid form of the antimicrobialcomposition.

In their dry form, the antimicrobial compositions provided herein aresubstantially stable at room temperature for a year or more. Whendissolved in a solvent, the antimicrobial compositions provided hereinresult in in situ formation of a peracid and automatically adjust theinitially alkaline pH of the solution to an acidic pH over time,generally within about 24 hours. In some applications, the resultingsolutions containing the antimicrobial compositions provided hereinretain at least about 50% of the initial equilibrium peracid level forabout 1 year at room temperature. In some applications, the resultingsolutions containing the antimicrobial compositions provided hereinretain at least about 80% of the initial equilibrium peracid level forabout 1 year at room temperature.

C. COMPONENTS OF ECO-FRIENDLY ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOSITIONS

Provided herein are eco-friendly, environmentally acceptableantimicrobial compositions that are stable in dry form. The compositionsmaximize peracid (e.g., PAAH) creation when initially dissolved in anaqueous solvent because the resulting solution has an initial pH of ator above 8.0. The composition then automatically modifies the solutionpH to an acidic pH (e.g., less than 7, preferably at or less than 6.5)after 24 hours at room temperature, stabilizing the peracid (e.g., PAAH)in solution long term. The antimicrobial compositions provided hereininclude a hydrogen peroxide generator, a peracetic acid catalyst, and aslow hydrolyzing acid, where the ratio of the hydrogen peroxidegenerator to the peracetic acid catalyst is between 1.5:1 and 3:1, andwhen dissolved in a solvent, the initial pH of the solution is alkalineand after 24 hours the pH of the solution is acidic. In someembodiments, the antimicrobial compositions provided herein include ahydrogen peroxide generator, a peracetic acid catalyst, a slowhydrolyzing acid, and a carboxylic acid.

The environmentally acceptable antimicrobial compositions providedherein can be dissolved in any solvent. Exemplary solvents includewater, an alcohol, an aldehyde, and a ketone and combinations thereof.For many applications, the solvent includes water.

The antimicrobial composition provided herein can include one or moreadditional components. Exemplary additional components include, e.g.,organic solvents, surfactants, a buffering salt, tablet lubricants,fragrances, colorants, chelants (e.g., iminodisuccinic acid salts(available as Baypure® CX 100 from Lanxess Deutchland GmBH, LeverkusenGermany) and methylglycinediacetic acid (Trilon® M from BASF, FlorhamPark, N.J.)), enzymes, acids, carbonates or bicarbonates, phosphates,wetting agents, dispersing agents, hydrotropes, rheology control agents,foam suppressants, metal protectants, corrosion inhibitors, and otherfunctional additives. In some applications, the formulation includes anexpanded percarbonate as described in U.S. Pat. Appin. Pub. No.US2012/0219513. In some applications, the formulation can include asodium perborate or an expanded sodium perborate. In some applications,the cleaning or disinfecting formulation contains an acid selected fromamong acetic, adipic, azelaic, citric, fumaric, glutaric, maleic,malonic, oxalic, pimelic, suberic, sebacic, and succinic acid andcombinations thereof. In some applications, the acid is selected fromamong acetic acid, citric acid, malic acid, adipic acid and oxalic acid.In some applications, the formulation includes a solid acetic acid asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Appin. Pub. No. US2012/0208740. These otheringredients can be present in the range of about 0.05% to 75%, or in therange of about 0.25% to 60%, or in the range of about 0.5% to 50%, or inthe range of about 0.75% to 40% based on the weight of the tablet. Insome applications, the tablet includes an effervescent generator thatallows the dry form of the antimicrobial composition provided herein toeffervesce. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial compositions providedherein are free of EDTA. In some embodiments, there is no calcium saltof EDTA or magnesium salt of EDTA in the composition. In someembodiments, the antimicrobial compositions provided herein are free ofborates, boric acid or perborates.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can include a surfactant.The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can include a fragrance,alone or in combination with an additional component, such as asurfactant, carbonate, bicarbonate, acid or effervescent generator orcombinations thereof. The antimicrobial compositions provided herein caninclude a carbonate or bicarbonate or a combination thereof, alone or incombination with an additional component, such as a surfactant,fragrance, acid or effervescent generator or a combination thereof. Theantimicrobial compositions provided herein can include a chelant, aloneor in combination with an additional component. The antimicrobialcompositions provided herein can include a buffer, alone or incombination with an additional component. The antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein can include a phosphate, alone or in combination with anadditional component. The antimicrobial compositions provided herein caninclude a wetting agent or a dispersing agent or both, alone or incombination with an additional component. The antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein can include an acetate, alone or in combination with anadditional component. The antimicrobial compositions provided herein caninclude an enzyme, alone or in combination with an additional component.The enzyme can be a lipase, a protease, a peroxidase, an oxidase, anamylolytic enzyme, a cellulase, a polyesterase, a glucanase, an amylase,a glucoamylase, a glycosidase, a hemicellulase, a mannanase, a xylanase,a xyloglucanase, a pectinase, a β-glucosidase, or any combinationthereof.

1. Hydrogen Peroxide Generator

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein include a hydrogenperoxide generator. Any hydrogen peroxide generator known in the art canbe used. Exemplary hydrogen peroxide generators include, but are notlimited to, organic peroxides such as carbamide peroxide and ureaperoxide, peroxide complexes, and inorganic persalts such as the alkalimetal perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, persilicates andpersulfates. In some embodiments, preferred hydrogen peroxide generatorsare the alkali metal percarbonates. In some embodiments, preferredhydrogen peroxide generators include sodium percarbonate, calciumperoxide, magnesium peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium persulfate,potassium monopersulfate (Oxone®, DuPont™, Wilmington, Del.) orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, a preferred hydrogen peroxidegenerator is sodium percarbonate.

The hydrogen peroxide generator can be present in the compositionsprovided herein in an amount from about 1 wt % to about 99 wt %. Forexample, the hydrogen peroxide generator can be present in an amountfrom about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, or from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt%, or from about 10 wt % to about 80 wt %, or from or from about 15 wt %to about 95 wt %, or from about 20 wt % to about 70 wt %. It is to beunderstood that all values and ranges between these values and rangesare encompassed by the compositions and methods provided herein.

2. Peracid Catalyst

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein include a peracidcatalyst. The peracid catalyst can include any agent that contains anacetyl or acyl donor group for reacting with hydrogen peroxide orperoxide ions to form a solution that includes a peracid. In someembodiments, the peracid catalyst is a peracetic acid catalyst thatcontains an acetyl or acyl donor group for reacting with hydrogenperoxide or peroxide ions to form a peracetic acid. Exemplary peracidsinclude peracetic acid (PAAH, peroxyacetic acid), perbenzoic acid(peroxybenzoic acid) and substituted forms of perbenzoic acid;di-peroxymalonic acid, di-peroxysuccinic acid, di-peroxyglutaric acid,di-peroxyadipic acid; all isomeric forms of each of peroxypropionicacid, peroxybutanoic acid, peroxyhexanoic acid, peroxydodecanoic acid,and peroxylactic acid. PAAH is a representative peracid, andcompositions and methods provided herein that are exemplified with PAAHcan be practiced in general with any one or combination of peracids.Examples of peracid catalysts include O-acetyl (—O—C(O)CH₃) donors,N-acetyl (—N—C(O)CH₃) donors, O-acyl (—O—C(O)R′) donors and N-acyl(—N—C(O)R″) donors, where R and R′ are C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl substituents.Examples of 0-acetyl donors include monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin,glucose pentaacetate, lactose octaacetate, mannitol hexaacetate andsucrose octaacetate. Examples of N-acetyl donors includeN,N,N′N′-tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED),N,N,N′N′-tetraacetylmethylene-diamine (TAMD), N-acetyl glycine,N-acetyl-methionine, 6-acetamidohexanoic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine,4-acetamidophenol, N-acetyl-L-glutamine, and N,N′,N″,N′″-tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU). In some embodiments, it is preferred that the peracidcatalyst, e.g. peracetic acid catalyst, be a solid at room temperature.In some embodiments, a peracid catalyst, e.g., peracetic acid catalyst,having a pK_(a) of about 8 or greater is selected. In some embodiments,a peracid catalyst having a pKa in the range from about 7 to about 11,or from about 8 to about 10, is selected. In some embodiments, thepreferred peracetic acid catalyst is TAED or TAMD or a combinationthereof. Many of the known bleach activators can function as peracidcatalysts. Bleach activators are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,412,934;4,634,551; 4,915,854; 4,966,723; 6,080,710; and 7,235,252. Exemplarybleach activators include an acylated alkylene diamine, benzoylperoxide, benzoyl caprolactam, tetraacetyl glycouril, N-acylatedhydantoine, hydrazine, triazole, hydratriazine, urazole,di-ketopiperazine, sulfurylamide, 6-nonyl-amino-6-oxoperoxy-caproicacid, cyanurate, a carboxylic acid anhydride,decanoyl-oxybenzenesulphonate sodium-acetoxy-benzene sulfonate,sodium-benzoyloxy benzene sulfonate, sodium-lauroyloxy-benzenesulfonate, sodium-isononanoyloxy benzene sulfonate, acylated sugarderivatives, pentaglucose, nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, andcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, the antimicrobialcompositions include TAED or TAMD or a combination thereof as theperacetic acid catalyst, and sodium percarbonate as the hydrogenperoxide generator.

The peracid catalyst, e.g. a peracetic acid catalyst, can be present inthe compositions provided herein in an amount from about 1 wt % to about50 wt %. For example, the peracid catalyst can be present in an amountof from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt %, or from about 2 wt % to about 20wt %, or from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, or from about 10 wt % toabout 40 wt %, or from or from about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %, or fromabout 20 wt % to about 50 wt %. It is to be understood that all valuesand ranges between these values and ranges are encompassed by thecompositions and methods provided herein.

The ratio of hydrogen peroxide generator to peracid catalyst, e.g.peracetic acid catalyst, is in a range of from about 1.5:1 to about 3:1.For example, the ratio of hydrogen peroxide generator to peracid orperacetic acid catalyst can be 1.5:1, 1.55:1, 1.6:1, 1.65:1, 1.7:1,1.75:1, 1.8:1, 1.85:1, 1.9:1, 1.95:1, 2:1, 2.05:1, 2.1:1, 2.15:1, 2.2:1,2.25:1, 2.3:1, 2.35:1, 2.4:1, 2.45:1, 2.5:1, 2.55:1, 2.6:1, 2.65:1,2.7:1, 2.75:1, 2.8:1, 2.85:1, 2.9:1, 2.95:1, or 3:1.

In some embodiments, the peracid catalyst can be separated from thehydrogen peroxide generator in the composition. The separation can beachieved, e.g., by using a polymer coating on the particles of theperacid catalyst and the hydrogen peroxide generator in the composition.The same or different polymer coating can be applied to the particles ofthe peracid catalyst and the hydrogen peroxide generator in thecomposition. Suitable coating materials include adipic acid, azelaicacid, glutaric acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, pimelic acid, sebacicacid, suberic acid, succinic acid, undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioicacid, tridecanedioic acid, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (e.g., Opadry® coating), polyvinylacetate, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethylcellulose (e.g., Surelease® coating), cellulose acetate, sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, polymers and copolymers of acrylic acid andmethacrylic acid and esters thereof (e.g., Eudragit® RL, Eudragit® RS,Eudragit® L100, Eudragit® S100, Eudragit® NE), starch, modified starch,matlodextrin, a wax, gum arabic, shellac, water soluble polyvinylalcohol, polyalkylene glycols, acrylic polymer, such as sodiumpolyacrylate, or polyvinylpyrrolidone, or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the polymer coating is or contains a water solublepolyvinyl alcohol or a polyalkylene glycol. Exemplary polyalkyleneglycols include polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. When used,the molecular weight of the polyalkylene glycol can be selected to be inthe range of about 400 to about 8000. In some embodiments, the peracidcatalyst can be separated from the hydrogen peroxide generator in thecomposition by enclosing particles or tablets of each separately in afilm, packet, pouch, sheath or envelope that surrounds and separates theparticles or tablets of the peracid catalyst from the particles ortablets of the hydrogen peroxide generator. The film, packet, pouch,sheath or envelope can contain or be made of a material that dissolvesor disperses rapidly when exposed to an aqueous solvent, therebyreleasing the contained particles or tablets into to the aqueoussolvent.

3. Slow Hydrolyzing Acid

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein include a slowhydrolyzing acid. After peracid has been formed in the solution by thereaction between the hydrogen peroxide generator and the peracidcatalyst, the slow hydrolyzing acid reduces the pH of the solution. Slowhydrolyzing acid can be present in the compositions provided herein inan amount from about 0.5 wt % to about 60 wt %. For example, the slowhydrolyzing acid can be present in an amount of from about 1 wt % toabout 10 wt %, or from about 2 wt % to about 20 wt %, or from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt %, or from about 10 wt % to about 40 wt %, or from orfrom about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %, or from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt%, or from about 12 wt % to about 60 wt %. It is to be understood thatall values and ranges between these values and ranges are encompassed bythe compositions and methods provided herein

An exemplary slow hydrolyzing acid is a sugar acid lactone. The sugaracid lactones are acids that slowly hydrolyze to provide an additionalcarboxylic acid moiety, thereby reducing the pH of a solution in whichthey are dissolved. Any sugar acid lactone can be used as a slowhydrolyzing acid to act at the slow hydrolyzing acid in the compositionsprovided herein. Exemplary sugar acid lactones include the alpha andbeta forms of allohepturonolactone, allonolactone, alluronolactone,altrohepturonolactone, altronolactone, altruronolactone, arabinolactone,arabinuronolactone, galactohepturonolactone, galactonolactone,galacturonolactone, glucohepturonolactone, gluconolactone,glucuronolactone, gulohepturonolactone, gulonolactone, guluronolactone,idohepturonolactone, idonolactone, iduronolactone, lyxuronolactone,mannohepturonolactone, mannonolactone, mannuronolactone, ribonolactone,riburonolactone, talohepturonolactone, talonolactone, taluronolactone,xylonolactone and xyluronolactone.

In some embodiments, the sugar acid lactone is selected from among thegroup consisting of a gluconolactone, a galactonolactone, amannonolactone, a gulonolactone and a heptagluconolactone andcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, the sugar acid lactone isselected from among D-glucono-delta-lactone [CAS-No. 90-80-2],D-galactono-gamma-lactone [CAS-No. 2782-07-2], L-mannono-gamma-lactone[CAS-No. 22430-23-5], D-gulono-gamma-lactone [CAS-No. 6322-07-2],L-gulono-gamma-lactone [CAS-No. 1128-23-0],α-D-heptaglucono-gamma-lactone [CAS-No. 60046-25-5] and combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, the slow hydrolyzing acid is a sugar aciddelta lactone. In some embodiments, the slow hydrolyzing acid isD-glucono-[delta]-lactone [CAS-No. 90-80-2]. In some embodiments, theslow hydrolyzing acid is a glucono-delta-lactone, delta-gluconolactone,D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone, or glucurolactone or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the slow hydrolyzing acid is agluconolactone, a galactonolactone, a mannonolactone, a gulonolactone, aglucono-delta-lactone or a heptagluconolactone or a combination thereof.In some embodiments, the antimicrobial compositions include TAED or TAMDor a combination thereof as the peracetic acid catalyst, sodiumpercarbonate as the hydrogen peroxide generator, andglucono-delta-lactone as the slow hydrolyzing acid.

The sugar acid lactones are commercially available or can be synthesizedusing known methods. For example, many alduronic acids formintramolecular lactones by removing one mole of water between thecarboxyl group and one hydroxyl group. These internal esters ofalduronic acids are spontaneously formed upon heating suitable alduronicacids in which formation of a 1-4 or gamma-lactone structure ispossible, or in which formation of a 1-5 or delta-lactone structure ispossible. The alduronic acids are a group of compounds which areobtainable by oxidation of the terminal alcohol group of aldoses. Thepenturonic acids can be converted to penturonolactones using similarmethods.

The sugar acid lactone can be present in the compositions providedherein in an amount from about 0.5 wt % to about 60 wt %. For example,the sugar acid lactone can be present in an amount of from about 1 wt %to about 10 wt %, or from about 2 wt % to about 20 wt %, or from about 5wt % to about 25 wt %, or from about 10 wt % to about 40 wt %, or fromor from about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %, or from about 5 wt % to about 50wt %, or from about 12 wt % to about 60 wt %. It is to be understoodthat all values and ranges between these values and ranges areencompassed by the compositions and methods provided herein.

4. Carboxylic Acid

In some embodiments, the antimicrobial compositions provided hereininclude a carboxylic acid. In embodiments where the slow hydrolyzingacid is present in an amount greater than 40 wt % of the antimicrobialcomposition, carboxylic acid often is not present because the slowhydrolyzing acid alone can modulate the pH of the solution resultingfrom dissolution of the antimicrobial composition to a pH of about 7 orlower within about 24 hours at room temperature. A carboxylic acid canbe included if desired. For example, a carboxylic acid can be includedto accelerate the decrease in the pH of the solution.

It has been discovered that including a carboxylic acid in combinationwith the hydrogen peroxide generator, the peracid acid catalyst and theslow hydrolyzing acid results in a synergistic interaction, e.g.,allowing a reduction in the amount of hydrogen peroxide generator orperacid acid catalyst or both required to generate equivalent amounts ofPAAH, or interacting with the slow hydrolyzing acid to modulate thedecrease in pH. In the antimicrobial compositions provided herein wherethe amount of slow hydrolyzing acid is greater than 20 wt % based on theweight of the antimicrobial composition, but is less than the amount ofhydrogen peroxide generator present, a carboxylic acid generally isincluded.

Any carboxylic acid known in the art compatible with the othercomponents of the composition can be used. The carboxylic acid can be astraight chain aliphatic carboxylic acid or a branched chain aliphaticcarboxylic acid or a combination thereof. Exemplary carboxylic acidsinclude acetic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaricacid, gluconic acid, glutaric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, sorbicacid, succinic acid and sulfamic acid and combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the carboxylic acid is selected from the group consistingof acetic acid, citric acid, formic acid, gluconic acid, glycolic acid,lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid andtartaric acid. In some embodiments, the compositions include citricacid, alone or in combination with another carboxylic acid. In someembodiments, the antimicrobial compositions include TAED or TAMD or acombination thereof as the peracetic acid catalyst, sodium percarbonateas the hydrogen peroxide generator, glucono-delta-lactone as the slowhydrolyzing acid, and citric acid as the carboxylic acid.

The carboxylic acid can be present in the compositions provided hereinin an amount from about 0.5 wt % to about 25 wt %. For example, thesugar acid lactone can be present in an amount of from about 1 wt % toabout 10 wt %, or from about 2 wt % to about 20 wt %, or from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt %, or from about 0.5 wt % to about 15 wt %, or fromabout 5 wt % to about 20 wt %. It is to be understood that all valuesand ranges between these values and ranges are encompassed by thecompositions and methods provided herein.

5. Forms

The compositions provided herein generally are provided in a dry form.The dry form is shelf stable for extended periods of time, and readilycan be dissolved in a solvent, such as water, to produce a solutioncontaining a peracid. The compositions provided herein can be providedin any dry form known in the art, e.g., as a powder, flake, agglomerate,granule, tablet, capsule, pellet, puck, brick, briquette, block, unitdosage, layered compression or composite. Any one of the powder, flake,agglomerate, granule, tablet, capsule, pellet, puck, brick, briquette,block, unit dosage, layered compression or composite can be dissolved ina solvent to provide the composition in the form of a liquid.

Any appropriate solvent can be used to dissolve the composition toprovide it in liquid form. In some embodiments, the solvent ispredominately water. The water can be deionized water, distilled water,hard water, city water, well water, water supplied by a municipal watersystem, water supplied by a private water system, or treated water. Ingeneral, hard water refers to water having a level of calcium and/ormagnesium ions in excess of about 100 ppm. For example, hard watercontaining 400 ppm calcium carbonate can be used to dissolve the solidforms of the compositions provided herein.

The dry form of the composition can be dissolved in a solvent to providea liquid form of the composition. In some embodiments, the solution issubstantially aqueous, meaning that while the majority of the solvent inthe liquid form is water, non-water solvents can be present. In someembodiments, the liquid form of the compositions provided herein containa non-water solvent in an amount that its less than about 25 wt % of thecomposition. In some embodiments, the liquid form of the compositionsprovided herein contain a non-water solvent in an amount that its lessthan about 10 wt % of the composition. In some embodiments, the liquidform of the compositions can contain a non-water solvent in an amountbetween about 5 wt % and about 25 wt %, or about 1 wt % and about 10 wt%, or about 0.05 wt % and about 5 wt %. It is to be understood that allvalues and ranges between these values and ranges are encompassed by thecompositions and methods provided herein.

6. Effervescent Formulations

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are formulated tobe an effervescent composition. The effervescent composition is watersoluble and rapidly disintegrates. In some embodiments, the effervescentcomposition dissolves to a clear solution when placed in excess water atroom temperature in less than 5 minutes, or even in less than 2 minutes.The uniformity and clarity of the composition can be determined byviewing with the naked eye.

To formulate the compositions provided herein to be effervescent, aneffervescent generator can be included. In some embodiments, theeffervescent generator includes an acid and a base. When contacted witha solvent that includes water, the effervescent generator is activated,liberating the acid and base, which react with each other to produce agas, e.g., carbon dioxide gas.

Examples of useful acids included in the effervescent generator includecitric acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, malic acid, adipic acid,tartaric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate,lactic acid, and mixtures thereof. The acid can be present in theeffervescent generator in an amount of from 10 wt % to about 60 wt %, orfrom about 15 wt % to about 50 wt %, or from about 25 wt % to about 40wt %, based on the weight of the effervescent generator.

The base of the effervescent generator is capable of generating a gas,such as carbon dioxide. Examples of suitable carbonate bases includesodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, potassiumcarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesiumcarbonate, magnesium oxide, sodium glycine carbonate, and mixturesthereof. The effervescent generator can include a base in an amount offrom about 10 wt % to about 60 wt %, or from about 15 wt % to about 50wt %, or from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt %, based on the weight of theeffervescent generator. In some embodiments, the effervescent generatorincludes an alkali metal carbonate and an acid. The alkali metalcarbonate can be anhydrous potassium carbonate, hydrated potassiumcarbonate, anhydrous sodium carbonate, or hydrated sodium carbonate or acombination thereof. The amount of effervescent generator included inthe antimicrobial compositions provided herein can vary, such as in anamount from about 1 Wt % to about 30 wt % by weight of the antimicrobialcomposition. It is to be understood that all values and ranges betweenthese values and ranges are encompassed by the compositions and methodsprovided herein.

7. Protective Layer

The compositions provided herein can include a protective layer. Theprotective layer protects the composition from the influence of physicalor chemical action applied from the surroundings. The protective layercan be on or around or encapsulating any of the solid forms of theantimicrobial compositions provided herein. In some embodiments, theprotective layer can be in the form of a film, packet, pouch, sheath orenvelope that surrounds the solid form of the antimicrobial composition.The protective layer can contain or be made of a material that dissolvesor disperses rapidly when exposed to water, thereby releasing thecontained solid form of the antimicrobial composition to the water.

For example, the protective layer can be made of or contain any filmforming water soluble polymer, such as water soluble polyvinyl alcohol,polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose derivatives such as sodium celluloseacetate propionate sulfate and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC),xanthan gum, alginate, gellan gum, gelatin, modified starch or anycombination thereof. Methods of preparing water soluble or dispersiblepouches are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,760,942; 3,086,007;3,198,740; 3,374,195; 3,413,229; 3,892,905; 4,155,971; 4,340,491;4,416,791; 4,608,187; and 4,626,372; and in WO 02/042400 and WO2008/087424. The thickness of the protective layer can be anyappropriate thickness. For example the protective layer can have athickness of from about 10 μm to about 2500 μm thick. The protectivelayer can be prepared so that when applied to the compositions providedherein, the final dried protective layer adds from at or about 0.01 wt %to at or about 10 wt % based on the weight of the composition. Theprotective layer can be in the form of a water soluble or dispersibleprotective pouch. The thickness of the film used to produce the pouchcan be up to 5 mm, but can be 2 mm or less, or 1 mm or less, and can be25 μm to 250 μm thick.

The protective pouch can be provided as a multi-compartment pouch,containing two or more compartments. For example, the pouch can be atwo-compartment pouch, where the first compartment includes a hydrogenperoxide generator in combination with a peracid catalyst, and thesecond compartment includes a slow hydrolyzing acid. In someembodiments, the pouch can include three or more compartments. Forexample, the pouch can be a three-compartment pouch, where the firstcompartment includes a hydrogen peroxide generator, a second compartmentincludes a peracid catalyst, and the third compartment includes a slowhydrolyzing acid. The multi-component pouch can be or contain the samefilm forming polymers described above. In some embodiments, the pouch ismade of or contains water soluble polyvinyl alcohol. Methods ofpreparing water soluble or dispersible multi-component pouches aredescribed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,224,601; 6,655,837; 6,995,126;7,013,623; and 7,036, 986.

The protective pouch can be used to provide unit dosages of theantimicrobial compositions, pre-weighed for addition to a predeterminedamount of solvent, such as water. For example, the protective pouch cancontain an amount of an antimicrobial composition provided herein tomake a spray bottle solution of a hard surface sanitizing ordisinfectant spray when dissolved in water, or an amount that makes asanitizer or disinfectant for mop buckets when added to a standardindustrial bucket, or a laundry sanitizer or disinfectant when added tothe water in a washing machine, or surgical instrument sanitizer whenadded to water in an instrument sterilizing tray.

A polymer coating also can be applied to the surface of the solid formof the antimicrobial composition, e.g., agglomerate, granule, flake,tablets, capsules, pellet, puck, brick, briquette, block, layeredcompression or composite as a protective layer. Any polymer coatingknown in the art can be used. Suitable coating materials can includeadipic acid, azelaic acid, glutaric acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid,pimelic acid, sebacic acid, suberic acid, succinic acid, undecanedioicacid, dodecanedioic acid, tridecanedioic acid, hydroxypropyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (e.g., Opadry® coating), polyvinylacetate,hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylhydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose,ethyl cellulose (e.g., Surelease® coating), cellulose acetate, sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, polymers and copolymers of acrylic acid andmethacrylic acid and esters thereof (e.g., Eudragit® RL, Eudragit® RS,Eudragit® L100, Eudragit® S100, Eudragit® NE), starch, modified starch,matlodextrin, a wax, gum arabic, shellac, water soluble polyvinylalcohol, polyalkylene glycols, acrylic polymer, such as sodiumpolyacrylate, or polyvinylpyrrolidone, or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the polymer coating is or contains a water solublepolyvinyl alcohol or a polyalkylene glycol. Exemplary polyalkyleneglycols include polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. When used,the molecular weight of the polyalkylene glycol is selected to be in therange of about 400 to about 8000.

When present, the polymer coating can be applied to any desiredthickness or weight gain. In some embodiments, the weight gain due tothe application of a protective polymer is from about 0.1 wt % to about10 wt %, or from about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt %, or from 1 wt % to about8 wt %. It is to be understood that all values and ranges between thesevalues and ranges are encompassed by the compositions and methodsprovided herein.

A polymer coating as a protective layer can be applied to a solid formof an antimicrobial composition provided herein. Exemplary solid formsto which a protective layer can be applied are agglomerates, granules,and tablets. In some embodiments, a polymer coating can be applied toagglomerates or granules, the coated agglomerates or granules then canbe compressed into a tablet, and a protective layer applied to thetablet. The composition of each protective layer independently isselected.

The polymer coating as a protective layer can be applied to the solidform of an antimicrobial composition provided herein using anyappropriate method known in the art. For example, a polymer coating canbe applied by conventional coating techniques such as, e.g., pancoating, fluidized bed coating, fluidized bed bottom sprayed coating,air suspension coating, compression coating, spray drying, spraycongealing, solvent evaporation, melting, coacervation, or interfacialcomplexation or any combination thereof. The polymer solution orsuspension used to form the polymer coating can be in a conventionalcoating pan, or, alternatively, using an automated system such as aFluidized Bed Processor (e.g., those available from Glatt Air TechniquesInc., Ramsey, N.J.) or a top spray or bottom spray fluid bed coaters(e.g., Precision Coater™, available from Niro Inc., Columbia, Md.).

The protective layer of the antimicrobial compositions provided herein,whether in the form of a water soluble or dispersible pouch or as apolymer coating on the surface of the solid form of the composition,provides a means for minimizing human contact with the components of theantimicrobial composition. This makes the antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein safer to handle by consumers, keeping the consumer fromdirectly contacting the hydrogen peroxide generator, peracid catalystand slow hydrolyzing acid of the composition, reducing possibleinteraction with exposed skin and eyes.

The scientific rationale of the US EPA's Design for the Environment(DfE) program is of the highest importance for setting the standards forwhat should be recognized as truly environmentally friendly (“green”)chemistry as well as being safe for human interaction. Under these DfEguidelines, one must present chemistry that is not only fit for passingthe established EPA testing required to obtain a disinfectantregistration but that also is safer for consumers to use.

DfE requires that a registered disinfectant chemistry is not onlyacceptable to their environmental, pollution, aquatic toxicity andbiodegradation limits but also does not carry a signal word strongerthan CAUTION. There is a need in the marketplace for green and saferdisinfection chemistries. Thus, provided herein is a disinfectantcomposition that utilizes the PAAH technology stemming from sodiumpercarbonate and catalyzed by TAED and that also will pass the safetytesting for skin and eye irritation so as not to have to carry a signalword at all, or only to the extent of the signal word CAUTION. Thedisinfectant compositions provided herein accomplishes the disinfectionwhile remaining safer to handle by humans. One way in which this isaccomplished is by using a polymer technology that coats the dangerouschemistries in dry form and reduces the possible interaction withexposed skin and eyes.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can be disinfectantcompositions that include, or are partially or completely covered,enveloped or contained within, a protective polymer. In someembodiments, the protective polymer comprises an acrylic, a sugar, astarch, a wax, a resin, a polyvinyl alcohol or a combinations thereof.In some embodiments, the protective polymer comprises polyvinyl alcoholand is the form of a water soluble pouch. The pouch separately can carrythe solid forms of the hydrogen peroxide generator and peracetic acidcatalyst. In some embodiments, the protective polymer comprises aglycol. In some embodiments, the protective polymer is or comprises apolyethylene glycol. In some embodiments, the protective polymer is orcomprises a maltodextrin.

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can be provided in a dryform, e.g., a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) packet, powder or compressedtablet, that when dissolved in an aqueous solvent makes (a) a spraybottle solution of a hard surface sanitizing or disinfectant spray; or(b) a sanitizer or disinfectant for mop buckets; or (c) a laundrysanitizer or disinfectant; or (d) a laundry machine sanitizer ordisinfectant; or (e) a solution that sanitizes or disinfects industrialor household appliances, such as a coffee maker, stove, oven, microwave,range, sink, refrigerator, freezer, toaster, washing machine, dryer orbottle washer; or (f) a solution that disinfects surgical instruments,alone or in combination with ultrasonication.

The solutions prepared by dissolving the antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein in a solvent can include additional components. Forexample, the solutions can include a chelating agent, sodium bisulfate,a polyglycol, a polyalkylene glycol, a methoxypolyalkylene glycol, apolyglycol copolymer, a hexitol, a siloxane, a polysilane, apolysiloxane, a silicone detergent, sodium carbonate, sodium gluconate,polyethylene glycol, an acrylic acid homopolymer, a surfactant, ableaching agent, a bleach activator, an optical brightener, ananti-redeposition agent, a color, or a fragrance or any combinationthereof. Exemplary bleaching agents include bleach activators, hydrogenperoxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, pre-formed peracids, alkalimetal hypochlorites, monochloramine, dichloramine, alkali metaldichloroisocyanurates, chlorinated trisodium phosphate and mixturesthereof.

D. METHODS OF PREPARATION 1. Preparation of the Compositions

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can be prepared byblending together the hydrogen peroxide generator, peracid catalyst andslow hydrolyzing acid (and when present the carboxylic acid) to form amixture in which the powders are evenly distributed and homogeneous. Anypowder blending technique that results in a uniform final product can beused. Known devices, such as a Hobart® planetary mixer, a vee-blender, avee-cone blender, a rotary batch mixer, a fluidized bed mixer, a ribbonblender, a paddle blender and a plow blender or combinations thereof,can be used to mix the components. The mixing can be carried out at roomtemperature under atmospheric pressure, and is not adversely affected bytemperature or pressure conditions. High humidity has a negative impacton the blending. A dehumidification system can be used in the blendingarea to maintain a relative humidity of about 25% or less, or 15% orless. Any dehumidification system known in the art can be used tocontrol humidity (e.g., any of the dehumidification systems availablefrom Munters AB, Kista, Sweden). The amount of time required to form auniform blend can depend on the amount of material to be blended and thesize and type of mixing equipment selected. The antimicrobialcompositions provided herein are not adversely affected by the time ofmixing. In some embodiments, a vee-cone blender large enough so that nomore than 50% of its capacity is used to contain the components is usedto mix the components for 1 hour to obtain a uniform mixture.

2. Preparation of Agglomerates or Granules

In some embodiments, the uniform blend of the components of theantimicrobial composition can be agglomerated to form larger-sizedagglomerates or granules. In some embodiments, the agglomerates orgranules are free-flowing. The uniform blend can be agglomerated usingany granulation process, such as wet granulation, dry granulation, fluidbed granulation, or a combination thereof, either alone or in thepresence of an excipient such as a binder. Any binder that is effectivein forming the agglomerate and creating a stable agglomerated structurecan be selected. Exemplary binders include polyvinyl alcohol,polyethylene glycol, an alcohol, anionic and nonionic surfactants, filmforming polymers, fatty acids, fatty acid polyol esters, polyglycols,hexitols, and fatty alcohol oxyalkylates and combinations thereof.

Agglomerates can be prepared using any conventional agglomerationequipment that facilitates mixing and intimate contacting of a liquidbinder with the components of the antimicrobial composition such that itresults in agglomerated particles. The agglomerated particles can takethe form of flakes, prills, noodles, ribbons, agglomerates or granules.In some embodiments, a preferred form is a granule. Suitableagglomerators for use in the production of agglomerates include verticalagglomerators (e.g. Schugi Flexomix or Bepex Tirboflex), rotating drums,and pan agglomerators.

In some embodiments, the solid form of the antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein, such as a uniform blend of the components of theantimicrobial composition or agglomerates or granules thereof, can beformed into a tablet, or filled into a capsule, or be provided in adissolvable pouch, in order to provide a unit dosage form of theantimicrobial compositions provided here.

3. Tablet Preparation

In some embodiments, the solid form of the antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein, such as a uniform blend of the components of theantimicrobial composition or agglomerates or granules thereof, can beformed into a tablet. Tablets have several advantages over powderedproducts: they do not require measuring and are thus easier to handleand dispense for preparation of a disinfectant solution, and they aremore compact, facilitating more economical storage and reducing shippingcosts.

A tablet containing any of the antimicrobial compositions providedherein can be of any geometric shape. Exemplary shapes includespherical, cube, disk, rod, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal,hexagonal, lozenge, modified ball, core rod type (with hole in center),capsule, oval, bullet, arrowhead, compound cup, arc triangle, arc square(pillow), diamond, half-moon and almond. The tablets can be convex orconcave. The tablets can be flat-faced plain, flat-faced bevel-edged,flat-faced radius edged, concave bevel-edged or any combination thereof.In some embodiments, the tablet can have a generally axially-symmetricform and can have a round, square or rectangular cross-section. Thetablet can be of uniform composition, or can contain two or moredistinct regions having differing compositions. For example, in someembodiments, the tablets contain one distinct region containing ahydrogen peroxide generator, another distinct region containing aperacid catalyst and another distinct region containing a slowhydrolyzing acid. In some embodiments, the tablets contain one distinctregion containing a combination of a hydrogen peroxide generator and aperacid catalyst, and another distinct region containing a slowhydrolyzing acid and a carboxylic acid.

Tablets containing the tablet binding composition provided herein can beprepared using any method known in the art, including compression,casting, briquetting, injection molding and extrusion. In someembodiments, the tablet preferably is produced by compression, forexample in a tablet press. Direct compression often is considered to bethe simplest and the most economical process for producing tablets.Direct compression requires only two principal steps: the mixing of allthe ingredients and compressing this mixture into a tablet. Any methodknown in the art for formation of a tablet can be used to prepare atablet containing the antimicrobial compositions provided herein. Forexample, the components of the antimicrobial composition can be preparedby admixing the components to achieve a uniform mix. Any powderblending, mixing or shaking technique that results in a uniform finalproduct can be used. Known devices, such as a Hobart® planetary mixer, avee-blender, a vee-cone blender, a rotary batch mixer, a fluidized bedmixer, a ribbon blender, a paddle blender and a plow blender orcombinations thereof, can be used to mix the components. The uniformblend can be blended with lubricants or other excipients prior totableting.

The resulting uniform mix then can be placed into a die of the desiredgeometry in a conventional tablet press, such as a single stroke orrotary press. The press includes a punch suitably shaped for forming thetablet. The uniform mix is then subjected to a compression forcesufficient to produce a tablet, and a tablet containing theantimicrobial composition provided herein is ejected from the tabletpress. Agglomerates and granules also can be used to form tablets. Theagglomerates or granules can be blended with lubricants or otherexcipients prior to tableting.

Any tableting equipment known in the art can be used for tabletformation. Suitable equipment includes a standard single stroke or arotary press. Such presses are commercially available, and are availablefrom, e.g., Carver, Inc. (Wabash, Ind.), Compression Components &Service, LLC (Warrington, Pa.), Specialty Measurements Inc. (Lebanon,N.J.), GEA Pharma Systems (Wommelgem, Belgium), Korsch America Inc.(South Easton, Mass.) or Bosch Packaging Technology (Minneapolis,Minn.).

The tablets containing any of the antimicrobial compositions providedherein can have any desired diameter, such as a diameter of betweenabout 5 mm and about 75 mm. In some embodiments, the tablets have adiameter of at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm,at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, at least 25 mm, at least30 mm, at least 35 mm, at least 40 mm, at least 45 mm, at least 50 mm,at least 55 mm, at least 60 mm or at least 70 mm. The tablets containingan antimicrobial composition provided herein can be of any weight, suchas a weight between 100 mg and 100 g. In some embodiments, the tabletcan have a total weight of about 1 g to about 30 g, or from about 5 g toabout 25 g, or from about 10 g to about 30 g. It is to be understoodthat all values and ranges between these values and ranges areencompassed by the compositions and methods provided herein.

The tableting can be carried out at room temperature under atmosphericpressure, and is not adversely affected by temperature or pressureconditions. High humidity has a negative impact on tableting. Adehumidification system is used in the tableting area to maintain arelative humidity of about 25% or less, or 15% or less. Anydehumidification system known in the art can be used to control humidity(e.g., any of the dehumidification systems available from Munters AB,Kista, Sweden).

The tablet can be compressed by applying a compression pressure of atleast about 1500 PSI, preferably at least 1750 PSI. In some embodiments,the tablet can be compressed applying a compression pressure of at least2000 PSI, or at least 2500 PSI, or at least 5000 PSI, or at least 7500PSI, or at least 10,000 PSI. In some embodiments, the tablet can becompressed applying a compression pressure from about 1750 PSI to about20,000 PSI. In some embodiments, the tablet can be compressed applying acompression pressure in the range of about 1750 PSI to about 15,000 PSI,or from about 1800 PSI to about 15,000 PSI, or from about 1850 PSI toabout 12,500 PSI, or from about 1900 PSI to about 10,000 PSI, or fromabout 2000 PSI to about 9500 PSI, or from about 1750 PSI to about 8500PSI, or from about 1750 PSI to about 7500 PSI, or from about 1750 PSI toabout 5500 PSI. The compression pressure can be selected to mosteconomically provide optimum tablet integrity and strength (measured,e.g., by tablet hardness), and having the desired product aesthetics anddissolution characteristics.

E. PACKAGED SYSTEMS

The solid form or the liquid form of the antimicrobial composition caninclude a packaging material to form a packaged system. The packagingmaterial can be rigid or flexible, and can be composed of any materialsuitable for containing the appropriate form of the antimicrobialcompositions provided herein. Examples of suitable packaging materialsinclude glass, metal foil, treated metal foil, metal foil pouches,plastic, plastic film, plastic sheets, blister packs, cardboard,cardboard composites, paper and treated paper, and any combinationthereof.

The packaged system can include a container for dissolving theformulation in a solvent to form an antimicrobial composition solution,or a receptacle for containing and/or dispensing the formulation andsolvent, or both a container and a receptacle. In some embodiments, thereceptacle can be used for preparing, dispensing and storing theantimicrobial composition solution. Any receptacle capable of containingthe antimicrobial composition solution can be included in the packagedsystem. In particular, the receptacle can include a spray bottle, asponge, a conventional hand sprayer container, an electric spraydispenser container (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,716,007 and 5,716,008), abucket, a can, a drum, a towelette, a wipe, or a pad or any combinationthereof.

F. ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can be part of an articleof manufacture, which can include a container suitable for containingthe compositions, such as for shipping and/or storage. The antimicrobialcompositions provided herein can be stored or shipped in a variety ofcontainers, and the containers can be made of or contain any of avariety of container materials, such as glass, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), high impact polystyrene, polycarbonate, high densitypolyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, lowdensity polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethyleneterephthalate glycol and polyvinylchloride and combinations thereof. Thecontainers can include barrier films to increase storage stability.Suitable barrier films can include nylons, polyethylene terephthalate,fluorinated polyethylenes, and copolymers of acrylonitrile andmethylmethacrylate.

An article of manufacture can include an antimicrobial compositionprovided herein and a set of instructions, such as for the use of theantimicrobial compositions. In some applications, the article ofmanufacture includes instructions for preparing a cleaning/disinfectantsolution by dissolving one of the antimicrobial compositions providedherein in an appropriate solvent. The article of manufacture can includeone of the antimicrobial compositions provided herein and storageinstructions, or a material safety data sheet or a combination thereof.The article of manufacture can include one of the antimicrobialcompositions provided herein and a dispenser or applicator for preparingor for use with the cleaning or disinfectant solution prepared bydissolution of the antimicrobial composition, alone or in combination ofany of storage instructions, preparation instructions or a materialsafety data sheet.

G. APPLICATIONS

The antimicrobial compositions provided herein can be provided aspowder, flake, agglomerate, granule, tablet, capsule, pellet, puck,brick, briquette, block, unit dosage, layered compression or composite.Any one of these can include a protective polymer. The protectivepolymer can be in the form of a dissolvable pouch or packet.

In some embodiments, the antimicrobial compositions are provided in unitdosage forms, such as compressed tablets, capsules, pellets, pucks,bricks, briquettes, blocks or as dissolvable pouches or packets that canbe added to a predetermined amount of solvent to prepare a liquid formof the antimicrobial composition. For example, when dissolved in asolvent, such as water, the antimicrobial compositions provided hereinproduce sanitizing or disinfectant solutions. For example, a PVA packet,powder or compressed tablet containing an antimicrobial compositionprovided herein can be used to make a spray bottle solution of a hardsurface sanitizing or disinfectant spray, or a sanitizer or disinfectantfor mop buckets, or a laundry sanitizer or disinfectant, or a laundrymachine sanitizer or disinfectant, or a solution that sanitizes ordisinfects industrial or household appliances, or a solution thatdisinfects surgical instruments. The amount of antimicrobial compositionin the solution can be from about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % of thesolution (about 0.5 g/L to about 50 g/L). In some embodiments, theamount of antimicrobial composition in the solution can be from about0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % of the solution (about 1 g to about 10 g/L).

The sanitizing or disinfectant solutions can be applied in any situationwhere it is desired to sanitize or disinfect a surface. The sanitizingor disinfectant solutions are particularly well suited for treating hardsurfaces. Such hard surfaces can be found in private households as wellas in commercial, medical, institutional and industrial environments.The hard surfaces can be made of or contain any number of differentmaterials, e.g., enamel, ceramic, glass, stainless steel, chrome, vinyl,linoleum, melamine, glass, fiberglass, Formica®, granite, marble,hardwood, grout, porcelin, concrete, plastic, plastified wood, metal orany painted or varnished or sealed surface. In some embodiments, thesanitizing or disinfectant solutions containing the an antimicrobialcomposition provided herein sanitizes or disinfects the hard surfacewithin 5 minutes of application.

A sanitizing or disinfecting solution containing an antimicrobialcomposition provided herein can be used on any surface. Exemplary hardsurfaces include, but are not limited to, bathroom surfaces (e.g.,floor, drains, tub, shower, mirrors, sinks, toilet, toilet seat, urinal,bidet, lavatory pans, countertops, shower doors or curtains, showerstalls, wash basins, bathroom fixtures, windows, fans, walls, lightfixtures and tiles); appliance surfaces (e.g., coffee maker, stove,oven, range, sink, garbage disposal, dishwashers, refrigerator, freezer,microwave, toaster, mixers, washing machine, dryer, barbeque); kitchensurfaces (e.g., appliances, floor, fixtures, light fixtures, fans,countertops, crockery, cupboards, cutlery, doors, door handles, walls,tables, chairs, cabinets, drawers, food processing equipment, flatware,utensils, floors, glassware, phones, clocks, plate ware, shelves,pantry, sinks, dishwashers, windows, and work surfaces); transportationdevices (e.g., cars, bicycles, snowmobiles, motorcycles,off-road-vehicles, tractors, recreation vehicles, boats, and planes);yard equipment; farm equipment; laboratory surfaces (e.g., autoclaves,work surfaces, hoods, clean rooms, storage rooms, cold rooms,countertops, centrifuges, and floors); computer surfaces (keyboards,monitors, housing, towers, laptops, and cables); hand rails; banisters;dental equipment or devices; medical devices or equipment; patient careequipment; patient monitoring equipment; surgical devices or equipmentor instruments; veterinarian equipment; tools; and utility devices(e.g., telephones, radios, televisions, entertainment centers, stereoequipment, CD and DVD players, play stations, and analog and digitalsound devices). Countertops can include tile surfaces, granite, marbleor other stone surfaces, Corian® or other manmade hard surfaces,engineered quartz such as Viatera® quartz surfaces (LG Hausys), woodsurfaces, glass surfaces, acrylic or polyester resin surfaces, concretesurfaces and stainless steel surfaces.

In some embodiments, the hydrogen peroxide generator is sodiumpercarbonate, calcium peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium persulfate,potassium monopersulfate (Oxone®, DuPont™, Wilmington, Del.) or acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the peracid catalyst is aperacetic acid catalyst. In some embodiments, the peracetic acidcatalyst is tetraacetyl ethylenediamine. In some embodiments, the slowhydrolyzing acid is a glucono-delta-lactone, delta-gluconolactone,D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone, glucurolactone or a combination thereof.In some embodiments, the carboxylic acid is citric acid. In someembodiments, the antimicrobial composition provided herein includessodium percarbonate, tetraacetyl ethylenediamine, glucono-delta-lactoneand optionally citric acid.

In some embodiments, the formulations containing an antimicrobialcomposition provided herein can include a metal protectant. In someembodiments, the metal protectant is a corrosion inhibitor. Exemplarycorrosion inhibitors include C₄-C₁₆ alkyl pyrrolidones, C₁-C₁₈alkylamines, benzoates, azoles, imidazoles, diazoles, triazoles,aromatic triazoles and their salts, such as benzotriazole,tolyltriazole, sodium tolyltriazole, monosodium phosphate, disodiumphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and potassium equivalents thereof,hydroxyethylidine di-phosphonic acid, 8-hydroxy-quinoline,orthophenylphenol, sarcosine, and sarcosinate corrosion inhibitors.

Preferred metal protectants include sarcosine and sarcosinate corrosioninhibitors. Sarcosinate corrosion inhibitors include sarcosine and saltsthereof, and sarcosinate surfactants, and any combination thereof.Exemplary sarcosinate corrosion inhibitors include cocoyl sarcosine,lauroyl sarcosine, myristoyl sarcosine, N-acyl sarcosine, oleoylsarcosine, and stearoyl sarcosine and the sodium salts, potassium saltsor amine salts thereof, and sarcosinate surfactants or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the corrosion inhibitor can include sodiumcocoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoylsarcosinate, sodium N-acyl sarcosinate, sodium oleoyl sarcosine, orsodium stearoyl sarcosine or any combination thereof.

An exemplary composition that can be used to make a hard surfacesanitizer spray composition containing an antimicrobial compositionprovided herein by dissolving the composition in an aqueous solvent,such as water, is a compressed tablet containing about 20 wt %-30 wt %sodium percarbonate, about 10 wt %-20 wt % TAED, about 10 wt %-35 wt %citric acid, about 20 wt %-40 wt % sodium bicarbonate, about 1 wt %-5 wt% polyethylene glycol, about 5 wt %-25 wt % glucono-delta-lactone, andoptionally a surfactant, such as a linear alcohol ethoxylate (e.g.,Tomadol® 25-7, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, Pa., USA),which when present can be in an amount of about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt%. The sanitizer spray composition can include a bleach activator. Thecompressed tablet can be of any size, such as from about 1 gram to about25 grams, and one or more than one tablet can be used to make an aqueoussolution of the antimicrobial composition for use as a surfacesanitizing spray. A sufficient number of tablets can be added to aquantity of solvent, such as water, to yield a solution containing fromabout 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % of the hard surface sanitizer composition(1-10 g/L).

Another exemplary composition that can be used to make a hard surfacesanitizer spray composition containing an antimicrobial compositionprovided herein by dissolving the composition in an aqueous solvent canbe provided as a powder, flake, tablet, agglomerate or granule,containing about 45 wt %-55 wt % sodium percarbonate, about 10 wt %-20wt % TAED, about 10 wt %-20 wt % glucono-delta-lactone, about 5 wt %-20wt % citric acid, and optionally a polyalkylene glycol, such as apolyethylene glycol or a polypropylene glycol, which when present can bein an amount of up to about 10 wt %. In some embodiments, the hardsurface sanitizer composition is in the form of a compressed tablethaving a weight from about 2 g to about 30 g, and a sufficient number oftablets is added to a quantity of solvent, such as water, to yield asolution containing from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the hardsurface sanitizer composition (1-50 g/L).

An exemplary automatic dishwasher sanitizer containing an antimicrobialcomposition provided herein can be a powder, flake, tablet, agglomerateor granule containing about 40 wt %-60 wt % sodium percarbonate, about20 wt %-35 wt % TAED, about 10 wt %-35 wt % citric acid, about 20 wt%-40 wt % sodium bicarbonate, about 1 wt %-5 wt % polyethylene glycol,about 0.5 wt %-20% glucono-delta-lactone, and optionally a chelatingagent, which when present can be in an amount of up to about 5 wt %.Exemplary chelating agents include methylglycine diacetic acid,trisodium salt (MGDA, Trilon® M, BASF Corporation, Florham Park, N.J.,USA), citric acid, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid(EGTA), glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA), glutamic acid, and mixturesthereof (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,516). A preferred chelating agent isMGDA.

An exemplary automatic laundry machine sanitizer containing anantimicrobial composition provided herein can be a powder, flake,tablet, agglomerate or granule containing about 40 wt %-60 wt % sodiumpercarbonate, about 20 wt %-35 wt % TAED, about 0.5 wt %-20 wt %glucono-delta-lactone, about 10 wt %-35 wt % citric acid, and optionallya polyalkylene glycol, such as a polyethylene glycol or a polypropyleneglycol, which when present can be in an amount of up to about 5 wt %.The laundry machine sanitizer composition can include a polyglycol, apolyalkylene glycol, a methoxypolyalkylene glycol, a polyglycolcopolymer, a surfactant, a siloxane, a polysilane, a polysiloxane or anycombination of these ingredients.

An exemplary dental, medical or surgical instrument soaking solutioncontaining an antimicrobial composition provided herein can be preparingby dissolving in a solvent a powder, flake, tablet, agglomerate orgranule of an antimicrobial composition provided herein containing about40 wt %-60 wt % sodium percarbonate, about 20 wt %-35 wt % TAED, about 5wt %-30 wt % glucono-delta-lactone and optionally up to about 20 wt %citric acid. The antimicrobial composition can be present in the solventin an amount from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the soaking solution(1-50 g/L). The surgical instrument soaking formulation can include ametal protectant. The metal protectant can include a corrosioninhibitor. For example, the formulation can include from about 0.1 wt %to about 5 wt % of a sarcosinate corrosion inhibitor. The surgicalinstrument soaking formulation can be used in conjunction with anultrasonic bath to clean and sanitize the instruments. In someembodiments, the surgical instrument soaking formulation can include anenzyme, alone or in combination with an additional component. The enzymecan be a lipase, a protease, a peroxidase, an oxidase, an amylolyticenzyme, a cellulase, a polyesterase, a glucanase, an amylase, aglucoamylase, a glycosidase, a hemicellulase, a mannanase, a xylanase, axyloglucanase, a pectinase, a β-glucosidase, or any combination thereof.The surgical instrument soaking formulation can include one or moresurfactants. Exemplary surfactants include cationic, anionic, nonionicand amphoteric surfactants.

An exemplary closed system sanitizer formulation containing anantimicrobial composition provided herein can be a powder, flake,tablet, agglomerate or granule containing about 45 wt %-55 wt % sodiumpercarbonate, about 20 wt %-30 wt % TAED, about 5 wt %-20 wt %glucono-delta-lactone and about 5 wt %-20 wt % citric acid. In someembodiments, the closed system sanitizer formulation is in the form of acompressed tablet having a weight from about 20 g to about 30 g, and onetablet can be used for sanitizing a dishwasher or laundry machine. Insome embodiments, the closed system sanitizer formulation is in the formof water soluble pouch containing from about 20 g to about 30 g ofgranules of the antimicrobial composition, and one pouch can be used forsanitizing a dishwasher or laundry machine. The closed system sanitizerformulation can include a metal protectant. The metal protectant caninclude a corrosion inhibitor. For example, the formulation can includefrom about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of a sarcosinate corrosioninhibitor.

In some embodiments, the formulations containing an antimicrobialcomposition provided herein can include a bleach activator. Exemplarybleach activators include an acylated alkylene diamine, benzoylperoxide, benzoyl caprolactam, tetraacetyl glycouril, N-acylatedhydantoine, hydrazine, triazole, hydratriazine, urazole,di-ketopiperazine, sulfurylamide, 6-nonyl-amino-6-oxoperoxy-caproicacid, cyanurate, a carboxylic acid anhydride,decanoyl-oxybenzenesulphonate sodium-acetoxy-benzene sulfonate,sodium-benzoyloxy benzene sulfonate, sodium-lauroyloxy-benzenesulfonate, sodium-isononanoyloxy benzene sulfonate, acylated sugarderivatives, pentaglucose, nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, andcombinations thereof. The bleach activator can be present in an amountthat is at least about 0.5 wt % by weight of the formulation.

Application Methods

The solutions prepared by dissolving the antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein in a solvent can be applied to surfaces by any techniqueor method known in the art. Exemplary application methods includespraying, wiping, direct application, immersion, or as part of a normalcleaning process, such as part of a laundry washing or dishwashingprocess. The solution can be applied directly to a surface as a spray orfine mist, via a woven or nonwoven substrate, brush, sponge, wipe orcleaning pad, or any combination thereof.

Also provided are methods of disinfecting or sanitizing a surface. Themethods include contacting the surface with a liquid containing anantimicrobial composition provided herein. The method also can includepreparing a liquid containing an antimicrobial composition providedherein by dissolving the antimicrobial composition in a solvent. Thesolvent can include water, an alcohol, an aldehyde, or a ketone or acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the solvent is or containswater.

The methods provided herein can result in the destruction of, orprevention of the growth of, a microbe on a hard surface. The microbecan be any one or a combination of a bacteria, archaea, unicellular andfilamentous algae, unicellular and filamentous fungi (such as yeasts andmolds), unicellular and multicellular parasites, and viruses.

The methods provided herein can result in killing bacteria on thetreated surface, for example to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Themethods also can inhibit the growth of bacteria on a treated surface.Exemplary bacteria that could be treated with a cleaning or disinfectingsolution containing an antimicrobial composition provided herein includeAcinetobacter, Burkholderia, Campylobacter, Clostridium, Enterococcus,Escherichia, Helicobacter, Klebsiella, Legionella, Listeria,Meningococcus, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Shigella,Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.

Exemplary sanitizer formulations of the antimicrobial compositionsprovided herein were tested for their ability to kill bacteria on asolid non-food-contact surface using the EPA Non-Food Contact SurfaceSanitizer Test (DIS/TSS-10, 1976). The tested sanitizer formulationscontained PAAH in an amount of from about 125 ppm to about 200 ppm. Thetested bacteria included S. aureus and K pneumoniae. The test measuredthe sanitizing ability on a non-food contact surface with a 5 minuteexposure at ambient temperature. The number of surviving colony formingunits of bacteria after treatment was compared to treatment with asterile distilled water control to determine the percent reduction ofbacteria by the test sanitizer. The tested sanitizer formulationscontaining the antimicrobial compositions provided herein killed>99.999%of S. aureus and K. pneumoniae within 5.0 minutes of exposure at ambienttemperature.

In some embodiments, a color indicator can be included in the dry formof the composition. In some embodiments, the color indicator is atemporary non-persistent color indicator. In some embodiments, the colorindicator is a pH indicator that has a color change in the range of fromabout 7 to about 9. When a pH indicator having a first and second colorstate is used, the first color state of the pH indicator yields asolution of a first color that can indicate that the solution is not yetready for use as a surface sanitizer, while the second color state ofthe pH indicator, evidencing that the pH was become more acidic, resultsin a color change in the solution, indicating that the solution is readyfor use as a surface sanitizer. Examples of pH indicators that can beincluded in the formulations provided herein include thymolphthalein,phenolphthalein, cresol red, phenol red, 4-nitrophenol, thymol blue andbromothymol blue and any combination thereof. For example, whenphenolphthalein is used, the initial color of the resulting solution ofthe composition is bright fuchsia, which with time changes to faint pinkto colorless, indicating that the solution is ready for use as acleaning or disinfecting solution. When phenol red is used, the initialcolor of the resulting solution of the composition is bright fuchsia,which with time changes to red to orange, indicating that the solutionis ready for use as a cleaning or disinfecting solution. When bromthymolblue is used, the initial color of the resulting solution of thecomposition is blue, which with time changes to green, indicating thatthe solution is ready for use as a cleaning or disinfecting solution.

When present, the amount of the color indicator, such as a pH indicator,included in an antimicrobial composition provided herein generally isfrom about 0.005 wt % to about 1.0 wt % based on the weight of thecomposition. In some embodiments, the amount of the color indicator inthe antimicrobial composition can be from about 0.05 wt % to about 0.5wt %. The amount included in the composition can be dictated by thecolor indicator selected. Generally, the amount of color indicator isselected so that the amount in the final solution is not too highresulting in a color change time that is too long or that may causestaining, and not so low that the resulting solution has aninsufficiently intense color.

Tablet Weight Loss

Tablets that lose more than 0.5% of their original weight are indicativeof tablets with poor tablet qualities like rough edges, die wallstreaking and tablet face sticking. The amount of tablet weight lossduring the manufacturing process can be measured using any techniqueknown in the art. As an exemplary method, the initial amount of materialadded to the die is recorded, and after the tablet is made viacompression, the tablet is weighed. The difference between the weight ofthe tablet and the initial amount of material added to the tablet die isthe “weight loss” value. Tablets that exhibit a weight loss of more than0.5% are deemed to exhibit poor tablet qualities.

H. EXAMPLES

The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only andare not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments provided herein.

Examples 1 and 2 Exemplary Antimicrobial Compositions without CarboxylicAcid

Antimicrobial compositions containing a hydrogen peroxide generator, aperacetic acid catalyst, and a slow hydrolyzing acid, where the ratio ofthe hydrogen peroxide generator to the peracetic acid catalyst isbetween 1.5:1 and 3:1 respectively, were prepared. Sodium percarbonatewas used as the hydrogen peroxide generator, tetraacetylethylenediamine(TAED) was used as the peracetic acid catalyst, andglucono-delta-lactone (GDL) was used as the slow hydrolyzing acid. Thecomponents of the compositions are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Antimicrobial Composition. Sodium Percarbonate¹ TAED² GDL³Solution Solution Example (%) (%) (%) Initial pH pH @ 24 hr. 1 33.3 11.155.6 8.37 4.84 2 33.86 22.57 43.75 8.26 6.92 ¹= available from SolvayChemicals, Bruxelles, Belgium ²= available from Warwick Chemicals,Flintshire, UK ³= available from Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel,Switzerland

To prepare the antimicrobial compositions, each of the indicated amountsof the components was placed in a laboratory scale vee-cone blender(Munson Machinery Company, Inc., Utica, N.Y.). The components wereblended for 5 minutes to achieve a homogeneous blend.

Aqueous solutions of the antimicrobial compositions of Examples 1 and 2were prepared as follows. 9 g of the composition was dissolved in 91 gwater to yield a solution containing about 3% sodium percarbonate, 1%TAED and 5% GDL.

The pH of the solution was measured upon dissolution of the compositionin tap water, and measured again after the solution was maintained atroom temperature for 24 hours at ambient pressure and humidity. Theresults are shown in Table 1. The data shows that, when a antimicrobialcomposition containing greater than 40 wt % GDL was dissolved in asolvent to form a solution, the solution containing the antimicrobialcomposition had an initial alkaline pH, which favors peracid (PAAH)formation, followed by an automatic decrease in the pH over time to anacidic pH (e.g., less than pH 7), stabilizing the peracid (PAAH) in thesolution. No carboxylic acid was needed to reduce the pH to a pH in theacidic range within 24 hours at room temperature.

Examples 3 through 6 Exemplary Antimicrobial Compositions withCarboxylic Acid

Formulations containing citric acid were prepared to investigate anobserved synergy when a carboxylic acid is used in conjunction with theslow hydrolyzing acid. Antimicrobial compositions containing a hydrogenperoxide generator, a peracetic acid catalyst, a slow hydrolyzing acid,and a carboxylic acid, where the ratio of the hydrogen peroxidegenerator to the peracetic acid catalyst is between 1.5:1 and 3:1respectively, were prepared. Sodium percarbonate was used as thehydrogen peroxide generator, tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) was usedas the peracetic acid catalyst, glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) was used asthe slow hydrolyzing acid and citric acid was used as the carboxylicacid. The components of the compositions are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Antimicrobial Composition containing a carboxylic acid. SodiumSolution Percarbonate¹ TAED² GDL³ Citric Solution pH @ Ex. (%) (%) (%)Acid⁴ (%) Initial pH 24 hr. 3 26 15 54 5 8.48 5.24 4 31.65 10.55 52.65.2 8.0 4.45 5 33.86 22.57 28.57 15 9.01 6.52 6 42.32 14.11 28.57 159.37 6.87 ¹= available from Solvay Chemicals, Bruxelles, Belgium ²=available from Warwick Chemicals, Flintshire, UK ²= available fromJungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel, Switzerland ⁴= available from S.A.Citrique Belge N.V., Tienen, Belgium

To prepare the antimicrobial compositions, each of the indicated amountsof the components was placed in a laboratory scale vee-cone blender(Munson Machinery Company, Inc., Utica, N.Y.). The components wereblended for 5 minutes to achieve a homogeneous blend. An aqueoussolution of each of the antimicrobial compositions of Examples 3 and 4was prepared as follows. For Example 3, 6.65 g of the composition wasdissolved in 93.35 g tap water to yield a solution containing about1.73% sodium percarbonate, 1% TAED, 3.6% GDL and 0.33% citric acid. ForExample 4, 9.5 g of the composition was dissolved in 90.5 g water toyield a solution containing about 3% sodium percarbonate, 1% TAED, 5%GDL and 0.5% citric acid. For Example 5 and 6, 10 grams of eachformulation separately was dissolved in 90 gram water to produce 1%solutions of the formulations.

The pH of each solution was measured upon dissolution of the compositionin tap water, and measured again after the solution was maintained atroom temperature for 24 hours at ambient pressure and humidity. Theresults are shown in Table 2 above. The data shows that the solutioncontaining the antimicrobial composition for each of Examples 3, 4, 5and 6 has an initial alkaline pH, which favors peracid (PAAH) formation,followed by an automatic decrease in the pH after 24 hours to an acidicpH (e.g., less than pH 7), stabilizing the peracid (PAAH) in thesolution.

Example 7 Tablets

A homogeneous blend of each of the compositions of Example 1 to 6separately was used to prepare tablets. A 20 gram aliquot of each one ofthe homogeneous blend of Examples 1 to 6 was weighed to be made into acompressed tablet. Each 20 gram powder sample was compressed into atablet using a 38.1 mm diameter die. Tablet compression was performedusing a CARVER Press (Carver, Inc. (Wabash, Ind.)) with a 7500 PSIgauge. For the compositions of Example 1 to 6, tablets were made at apressure of 5500 PSI. All of the tablets exhibited smooth face surfaces,had good edges and good side walls with few defects, and had low weightloss (less than 0.5%).

Example 8 Measurement of ppm PAAH

Aqueous sanitizer compositions were aseptically prepared to measure theamount of PAAH produced. Two replicates of three different preparationsof the antimicrobial composition described in Example 1 were prepared.One gram of each of the three lots separately was placed in sterilizedvolumetric flasks and a quantity of synthetic hard water (400 ppmCaCO₃), prepared according to AOAC Official Methods, 960.09 (E), wasadded to prepare a 1 liter solution and the flask was mixed untilproduct was dissolved.

The aqueous solutions were assayed to measure the peracetic acidconcentration using a permanganate titration analysis. Titrations wereperformed quickly with constant stirring of the sample. An initialtitration to measure background contamination was performed. Using a 250mL Erlenmeyer flask, 70 mL deionized water was mixed with 20 mL of 25%sulfuric acid solution under constant stirring. One drop of 0.1 N KMnO₄was added to the acid (blank) solution. A pale pink color that persistedfor at least 60 seconds indicated there were no contaminants and thatthe blank equaled zero. To the same solution, 0.4 g of KI crystals and 1mL of 1% starch solution was added, resulting in a blue color. 0.01 NNa₂S₂O₃ immediately was titrated into the solution until a colorlessendpoint that persisted for at least 60 seconds was achieved and theamount of Na₂S₂O₃ used was recorded. The blank titration was performedin duplicate, the amount of Na₂S₂O₃ used was averaged and subtracted asbackground in the calculation to determine % PAAH, as discussed below.

The sample was diluted by weighing an appropriate volume of the testsolution into a clean beaker and transferring quantitatively to a 1000ml volumetric flask. The sample beaker was washed with deionized waterand the rinsing solutions also were transferred into the volumetricflask. The volumetric flask was filled to volume with deionized waterand the contents mixed thoroughly.

The test sample was analyzed by adding 20 mL deionized water to a 250 mLErlenmeyer flask and with constant mixing, adding 20 mL of a 25%sulfuric acid solution. 50 ml of the diluted test sample solution waspipetted into the 250 ml flask with mixing, and titrated with 0.1 NKMnO₄ until a first faint pink color that persisted for at least 60seconds appeared. To this solution, 0.4 g of KI crystals were added,resulting in the development of a yellow color. Immediately, thesolution was titrated with 0.01 N Na₂S₂O₃ until pale yellow in color.1.0 mL of a 1% starch solution was added and a blue color developed.With constant mixing, titration continued until a colorless water-clearendpoint that persisted for at least 60 seconds was achieved. The totalmL of Na₂S₂O₃ used in the titration was recorded. Each sample was testedin duplicate and the two titrant volumes averaged.

The % PAAH was calculated using the formula:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {PAAH}} = \frac{\begin{matrix}{\left( {\left\lbrack {{mL}\mspace{14mu} {Na}_{2}S_{2}O_{3}\mspace{14mu} {sample}} \right\rbrack - \left\lbrack {{mL}\mspace{14mu} {Na}_{2}S_{2}O_{3}\mspace{14mu} {blank}} \right\rbrack} \right) \times} \\{0.01\; N \times 38.025 \times 100}\end{matrix}}{\left( {g\mspace{14mu} {sample}\text{/}1000} \right) \times 50 \times 1000}$

where:

in the numerator, 38.025=equivalent weight of peracetic acid; and

-   -   100=percent conversion; and

in the denominator, “g sample/1000”=dilution of sample;

-   -   50=the number of mL of test solution used; and    -   1000=mL to L conversion.        To convert the value to ppm PAAH, the % PAAH value was        multiplied by 10,000. The results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Peracetic acid (PAAH) Concentration of solutions. ExampleReplicate Sample Wt. (g) ppm PAAH Avg. ppm PAAH 8-A 1 100.00 120 125 2100.00 130 8-B 1 100.00 170 170 2 100.00 170 8-C 1 100.00 200 205 2100.00 210

The data show that the solutions of this formulation produced PAAH inthe range of from about 125 ppm to about 200 ppm.

Examples 9 through 14 Comparative Solutions with Different Ratios ofSodium Percarbonate to TAED

In order to demonstrate that a ratio of between 1.5:1 and 3:1 for thehydrogen peroxide generator to the peracetic acid catalyst is necessaryto achieve the automatic decrease in pH to an acidic pH with time in theantimicrobial compositions provided herein, solutions containing a ratioof hydrogen peroxide generator and peracetic acid catalyst outside ofthe recited range of ratios were prepared. The components of each of thesolutions is shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Comparative solutions outside of the recited ratio of peroxidegenerator to peracid catalyst. Ratio Component (wt %) (peroxide SolutionpH Sodium Citric generator pH @ Example Percarbonate¹ TAED² GDL³ Acid⁴to TAED) Initial pH 24 hr. 9 5 1 5 0 5:1 9.25 9.00 10 4 1 5 0 4:1 8.858.34 11 5 5 5 0 1:1 8.71 7.93 12 5 1 5 5 5:1 8.8 8.79 13 5 1 10 1 5:18.43 8.14 14 5 5 5 1 1:1 8.50 7.26 ¹= available from Solvay Chemicals,Bruxelles, Belgium ²= available from Warwick Chemicals, Flintshire, UK³= available from Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel, Switzerland ⁴=available from S.A. Citrique Beige N.V., Tienen, Belgium

Each solution was prepared by dissolving the components in the tap waterwith mixing until dissolved. The pH was measured upon dissolution of thecomponents in the water, and measured again after each of the solutionswas maintained at room temperature for 24 hours at ambient pressure andhumidity.

The data show that solutions containing a ratio of hydrogen peroxidegenerator to the peracetic acid catalyst below 1.5:1 (e.g., comparativeExamples 11 and 14) or solutions containing a ratio of hydrogen peroxidegenerator to the peracetic acid catalyst above 3:1 (e.g., comparativeExamples 9, 10, 12 and 13) do not achieve an automatic decrease in thepH within 24 hours to an acidic pH (e.g., pH less than 7) even when theamount of GDL is doubled (Example 13) or citric acid is added (Examples12 to 14).

Examples 15 through 26 Comparative Compositions with Lower Amount ofSlow Hydrolyzing Acid

In order to demonstrate that a minimum of 10 wt % slow hydrolyzing acidis necessary in the antimicrobial compositions in order to achieve thedesired modulation in pH, comparative solutions containing a ratio ofbetween 1.5:1 and 3:1 for the hydrogen peroxide generator to theperacetic acid catalyst but less than 10 wt % glucono-delta-lactone wereprepared. The formulations and results are provided in Table 5. Eachcomparative formulation was made into a solution by dissolving 1 gram ofthe formulation into 99 mL water with constant stirring. The pH of eachsolution was tested 5 minutes after dissolution, and then at 3 hours and24 hours after dissolution.

TABLE 5 pH of comparative solutions with low amounts ofglucono-delta-lactone. Ratio Component (wt %) (peroxide pH Sodium Citricgenerator Initial pH @ pH @ Ex. # Percarbonate¹ TAED² GDL³ Acid⁴ toTAED) pH 3 hr. 24 hr. 15 55.05 36.70 8.25 0 1.5:1 10.16 8.82 8.82 1668.81 22.94 8.25 0   3:1 10.24 9.9 9.72 17 46.05 30.70 8.25 15 1.5:18.18 7.47 7.16 18 57.56 19.19 8.25 15   3:1 8.34 7.54 7.48 19 42.8628.57 0 28.57 1.5:1 6.87 6.85 8.67 20 33.86 22.57 0 43.57 1.5:1 4.614.43 5.48 21 55.05 36.70 0 8.25 1.5:1 9.2 9.21 8.38 22 46.05 30.70 023.25 1.5:1 8.67 8.54 9.17 23 53.37 17.86 0 28.57   3:1 6.09 6.17 8.2424 42.32 14.11 0 43.57   3:1 4.2 4.08 4.83 25 68.81 22.94 0 8.25   3:19.54 9.41 9.04 26 57.56 19.19 0 23.25   3:1 5.94 5.91 6.98 ¹= availablefrom Solvay Chemicals, Bruxelles, Belgium ²= available from WarwickChemicals, Flintshire, UK ³= available from Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG,Basel, Switzerland ⁴= available from S.A. Citrique Beige N.V., Tienen,Belgium

The data show that in comparative solutions containing some GDL but lessthan 10 wt %, the pH of the solution decreased over time when comparedto the initial pH of the solution, but even after 24 hours the solutionpH was not close to neutral unless citric acid was included in theformulation in combination with GDL. Even when the low level of GDL wascombined with citric acid, the 24 hour pH of the solution was not in theacidic range. Totally replacing GDL with citric acid alone did notdemonstrate the desired modulation in solution pH over time. In some ofthe solutions containing citric acid without GDL, the initial pH of thesolution never became alkaline. Thus, the solution was below the pK_(a)of the TAED and little if any PAAH was formed. In some of the solutionscontaining citric acid without GDL, the initial pH of the solution wasalkaline and remained alkaline after 24 hours. Thus, any PAAH that wasformed was unstable and likely destroyed in the alkaline environment.

Examples 27 through 31 Comparative Formulations without Carboxylic Acid

It has been determined that formulations in which the amount of slowhydrolyzing acid is greater than 20 wt % of the antimicrobialcomposition but less than the amount of hydrogen peroxide generatoroften require a carboxylic acid to modulate the pH over time to a pH inthe acidic range. Comparative formulations outside of these parameterswere prepared. The formulations and results are provided in Table 6.Each comparative formulation was made into a solution by dissolving 1gram of the formulation into 99 mL water with constant stirring. The pHof each solution was tested 5 minutes after dissolution, and then at 3hours and 24 hours after dissolution.

TABLE 6 pH of Comparative Solutions without carboxylic acid. RatioComponent (wt %) (peroxide pH Sodium Citric generator pH @ pH @ Ex. #Percarbonate TAED GDL Acid to TAED) Initial pH 3 hr. 24 hr. 27 42.8628.57 28.57 0 1.5:1   9.54 8.03 7.47 28 53.37 17.86 28.57 0 3:1 9.779.33 9.25 29 46.05 30.70 23.25 0 1.5:1   9.13 8.87 8.12 30 43.57 14.1142.32 0 3:1 8.77 8.7 8.61 31 57.56 19.19 23.25 0 3:1 9.38 8.98 8.51

The data show that, in comparative solutions containing GDL in an amountgreater than 10 wt % but less than the amount of sodium percarbonatewithout a carboxylic acid present, the pH of the solution decreased overtime when compared to the initial pH of the solution, but even after 24hours the solution pH was not close to neutral.

Example 32 Appliance Sanitizer Spray Tablet

A tablet to be dissolved in a solvent, such as water, to form asanitizer spray for appliance surfaces was prepared. 33.86 g sodiumpercarbonate, 22.57 g TAED, 28.57 g glucono-delta-lactone, and 15 gcitric acid were blended in a lab scale vee-blender for 5 minutes toachieve a homogeneous blend. 25 gram aliquots of the homogeneous blendwere weighed to be made into compressed tablets. Each 25 gram powdersample was compressed into a tablet using a 38.1 mm diameter die using aCARVER Press at a pressure of 5500 PSI. The tablets exhibited smoothface surfaces, had good edges and good side walls with few defects, andhad low weight loss (less than 0.5%). A sufficient number of tablets wasadded to a quantity of solvent, such as water, to yield a solutioncontaining from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % of the composition (1-10g/L). For Example 32, one 25 g tablet was added to 975 mL water to yielda 0.25 wt % sanitizing spray solution.

Examples 33 through 35 Hard Surface Sanitizer Spray Tablets

Formulations for preparing a tablet to be dissolved in a solvent, suchas water, to form a sanitizer spray for hard surfaces were prepared. Theformulations are provided in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Formulations for exemplary hard surface sanitizer spray tablets.Example # 33 34 35 Component Component (wt %) Sodium Percarbonate¹ 50 4933.86 TAED² 18 12.5 22.57 GDL³ 18 18.5 28.57 Citric Acid⁴ 10 10 15Sodium Acetate⁵ 4 4 0 PEG 8000⁶ 0 6 0 ¹= available from SolvayChemicals, Bruxelles, Belgium ²= available from Warwick Chemicals,Flintshire, UK ³= available from Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel,Switzerland ⁴= available from S.A. Citrique Belge N.V., Tienen, Belgium⁵= available from Niacet Corporation, Niagara Falls, NY, USA ⁶=available from Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, USA

The components of each of Examples 33, 34, and 35 separately wereblended together in a lab scale vee-blender for 5 minutes to achieve ahomogeneous blend. 20 gram aliquots of the homogeneous blend of Examples33 and 34, and 25 gram aliquots of the homogeneous blend of Example 35,were weighed to be made into compressed tablets. Each aliquot of thehomogeneous blend separately was compressed into a tablet using a 38.1mm diameter die using a CARVER Press at a pressure of 5500 PSI. Thetablets exhibited smooth face surfaces, had good edges and good sidewalls with few defects, and had low weight loss (less than 0.5%).

A sufficient number of tablets was added to a quantity of water to yielda solution containing from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % of thecomposition (1-10 g/L). For Example 33, one 20 g tablet was added to 980mL water to yield a 0.2 wt % sanitizing spray solution. After 24 hoursat room temperature, the pH of the solution was 6.71. For Example 34,two 20 g tablets were added to 960 mL water to yield a 0.4 wt %sanitizing spray solution. After 24 hours at room temperature, the pH ofthe solution was 6.89. For Example 35, two 25 g tablets were added to950 mL water to yield a 0.5 wt % sanitizing spray solution.

Examples 36 and 37 Surgical Instrument Soak Tablet

A tablet to be dissolved in a solvent, such as water, to form a surgicalinstrument sanitizer soaking solution was prepared. The formulations areprovided in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Formulations for exemplary surgical instrument sanitizertablets. Example # 36 37 Component Component (wt %) Sodium Percarbonate¹38.5 37.5 TAED² 22.5 21.5 GDL³ 24 23 Citric Acid⁴ 15 14 Perlastan ® L30sodium lauroyl sarcosinate⁵ — 4 ¹= available from Solvay Chemicals,Bruxelles, Belgium ²= available from Warwick Chemicals, Flintshire, UK³= available from Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel, Switzerland ⁴=available from S.A. Citrique Belge N.V., Tienen, Belgium ⁵= availablefrom Schill and Seilacher GmbH, Boeblingen, Germany

The components of each composition were blended in a lab scalevee-blender for 5 minutes to achieve a homogeneous blend. 20 gramaliquots of the homogeneous blend were weighed to be made intocompressed tablets. Each 20 gram powder sample was compressed into atablet using a 38.1 mm diameter die using a CARVER Press at a pressureof 5500 PSI. The tablets exhibited smooth face surfaces, had good edgesand good side walls with few defects, and had low weight loss (less than0.5%).

A sufficient number of tablets was added to a quantity of solvent, suchas water, to yield a solution containing from about 0.1 wt % to about 1wt % of the composition (1-10 g/L). For each of Examples 36 and 37, one20 g tablet was added to 980 mL water to yield a 0.2 wt % solution.

Example 38 Color Shifting Formulation Tablet

A tablet to be dissolved in a solvent, such as water, to form asanitizer spray for hard surfaces that changes color when ready for usewas prepared. 50 g sodium percarbonate, 18 g TAED, 18 gglucono-delta-lactone, 10 g citric acid, 3.75 g sodium citrate, and 0.25g phenolphthalein were blended in a lab scale vee-blender for 5 minutesto achieve a homogeneous blend. 20 gram aliquots of the homogeneousblend were weighed to be made into compressed tablets. Each 20 grampowder sample was compressed into a tablet using a 38.1 mm diameter dieusing a CARVER Press at a pressure of 5500 PSI. The tablets exhibitedsmooth face surfaces, had good edges and good side walls with fewdefects, and had low weight loss (less than 0.5%).

A sufficient number of tablets was added to a quantity of solvent, suchas water, to yield a solution containing from about 0.1 wt % to about 1wt % of the composition (1-10 g/L). For Example 38, two 20 g tabletswere added to 960 mL water to yield a 0.4 wt % solution. Initially, thesolution had a pH of 9, and the solution was a bright fuchsia color.Within about 20 minutes, the solution changed to colorless, and wasready to use as a sanitizer spray for hard surfaces.

While various embodiments of the subject matter provided herein havebeen described, it should be understood that they have been presented byway of example only, and not limitation. Since modifications will beapparent to those of skill in this art, it is intended that thisinvention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

1. An antimicrobial composition, comprising: a hydrogen peroxidegenerator; a peracid catalyst; a slow hydrolyzing acid; and optionally acarboxylic acid; wherein: the composition is a dry form; the ratio ofthe hydrogen peroxide generator to the peracetic acid catalyst isbetween 1.5:1 and 3:1 respectively; the slow hydrolyzing acid is presentin an amount of at least about 10 wt %; and when 10 grams of thecomposition is dissolved in 90 grams of water to form a solution, theinitial pH of the solution is about 8 or greater, and after 24 hours atroom temperature the pH of the solution is about 7 or less.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the dry form is a powder, flake,agglomerate, granule, tablet, capsule, pellet, puck, brick, briquette,block, unit dosage, layered compression or composite.
 3. The compositionof claim 1, wherein: the hydrogen peroxide generator comprises an alkalimetal perborate, alkali metal percarbonate, alkali metal perphosphate,alkali metal persilicate or alkali metal persulfate or a combinationthereof; or the hydrogen peroxide generator is sodium percarbonate,calcium peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium persulfate, potassiummonopersulfate or a combination thereof.
 4. The composition of claim 1,wherein: the peracid catalyst is an agent that contains an acetyl donorgroup or an acyl donor group or a combination thereof, wherein the agentcontains an —O—C(O)CH₃ donor group, an —N—C(O)CH₃ donor group, an—O—C(O)R¹) donor group or an —N—C(O)R² donor group, wherein R¹ and R²each individually is C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl; or the peracid catalyst isselected from among monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin, glucosepentaacetate, lactose octaacetate, mannitol hexaacetate, sucroseoctaacetate, N,N,N′N′-tetraacetylethylene-diamine (TAED),N,N,N′N′-tetraacetylmethylene-diamine (TAMD), N-acetyl glycine,N-acetyl-methionine, 6-acetamidohexanoic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine,4-acetamido-phenol, N-acetyl-L-glutamine, and N,N′,N″,N′″-tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU).
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the slowhydrolyzing acid is a sugar acid lactone, wherein: the sugar acidlactone is selected from the group consisting of allohepturonolactone,allonolactone, alluronolactone, altrohepturonolactone, altronolactone,altruronolactone, arabinolactone, arabinuronolactone,galactohepturonolactone, galactonolactone, galacturonolactone,glucohepturonolactone, gluconolactone, glucuronolactone,gulohepturonolactone, gulonolactone, guluronolactone,idohepturonolactone, idonolactone, iduronolactone, lyxuronolactone,mannohepturonolactone, mannonolactone, mannuronolactone, ribonolactone,riburonolactone, talohepturonolactone, talonolactone, taluronolactone,xylonolactone and xyluronolactone and a combination thereof; or thesugar acid lactone is selected from the group consisting of agluconolactone, a galactonolactone, a mannonolactone, a gulonolactoneand a heptagluconolactone; or the sugar acid lactone is aglucono-delta-lactone.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein: thehydrogen peroxide generator is present in an amount of from about 10 wt% to about 60 wt %; the peracid acid catalyst is present in an amount offrom about 10 wt % to about 30 wt %; the slow hydrolyzing acid ispresent in an amount of from about 5 wt % to about 60 wt %; and thecarboxylic acid is present in an amount of from about 5 wt % to about 25wt %.
 7. The composition of claim 1 that is in the form of a tablet,capsule, powder, or agglomerate or that is contained in a water solublepouch.
 8. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a protectivelayer comprising an acrylic, a sugar, a starch, a maltodextrin, apolyethylene glycol, or a film forming water soluble polymer or acombination thereof.
 9. The composition of claim 1, wherein: thecarboxylic acid is a straight chain aliphatic carboxylic acid or abranched chain aliphatic carboxylic acid; or the carboxylic acid isselected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, formicacid, gluconic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malicacid, oxalic acid, succinic acid and tartaric acid.
 10. The compositionof claim 1, further comprising an effervescent generator.
 11. Thecomposition of claim 1, further comprising a color indicator in anamount from at or about 0.005 wt % to about 1.0 wt % based on the weightof the composition.
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein: thehydrogen peroxide generator is sodium percarbonate; the peracid catalystis TAED; the slow hydrolyzing acid is glucono-delta-lactone; and thecarboxylic acid is citric acid.
 13. A solution, comprising: from about50 wt % to about 99.95 wt % of a solvent; and from about 0.05 wt % toabout 50 wt % of the composition of claim
 1. 14. The solution of claim13, further comprising an additional component selected from the groupconsisting of an organic solvent, a surfactant, a buffering salt, atablet lubricant, a fragrance, a colorant, a chelating agent, an enzyme,an acid, a carbonate, a bicarbonate, a phosphate, a wetting agent, adispersing agent, a hydrotrope, a rheology control agent, a foamsuppressant, a metal protectant, a corrosion inhibitor, an expandedpercarbonate, a polyglycol, a polyalkylene glycol, a methoxypolyalkyleneglycol, a polyglycol copolymer, a hexitol, a siloxane, a polysilane, apolysiloxane, a silicone detergent, sodium bisulfate and sulfamic acidand combinations thereof.
 15. An automatic dishwasher sanitizer,comprising: a composition of claim 1; a surfactant; and a carbonate or abicarbonate or a combination thereof.
 16. A general purpose hard surfacespray, comprising: a composition of claim 1; a surfactant; a solvent;and a bleach activator.
 17. A disinfectant, comprising: a composition ofclaim 1; and a bleaching agent.
 18. A detergent composition, comprising:a composition of claim 1; a surfactant; and a carbonate or bicarbonateor a combination thereof.
 19. A medical instrument cleaner, comprising:a composition of claim 1; and a corrosion inhibitor.
 20. A laundrymachine sanitizer, comprising: a composition of claim 1; a polyglycol;and a surfactant or a siloxane or a combination thereof.
 21. A method ofdisinfecting a surface, comprising: dissolving a composition of claim 1in a solvent to form a disinfecting solution; and applying thedisinfecting solution to the surface resulting in the destruction of, orprevention of the growth of, a microbe on the surface.